What does 2 Kings 18:36 mean?
"But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not." - 2 Kings 18:36
The Bible verse 2 Kings 18:36 in the King James Version reads, "But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."
This verse is part of the narrative in 2 Kings that highlights the reign of King Hezekiah in the southern kingdom of Judah. At this time, the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, had besieged Jerusalem and sent his chief cupbearer, the Rabshakeh, to intimidate and demoralize the people of Jerusalem. This verse is part of the Rabshakeh's speech to the people, in which he questioned their faith and loyalty to King Hezekiah and their God, Yahweh. The people's response, as stated in the verse, was to hold their peace and not answer the Rabshakeh as per King Hezekiah's command.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning and significance. King Hezekiah was a righteous king who sought to reform the religious practices of Judah and bring the people back to the worship of Yahweh. The Assyrian invasion was a direct threat to the kingdom of Judah, and the Rabshakeh's speech was an attempt to undermine the people's trust in their king and their God.
The themes present in this verse include faith, obedience, and trust in God. The people's refusal to answer the Rabshakeh is a demonstration of their faith in King Hezekiah's leadership and their obedience to his commandment. It also reflects their trust in Yahweh to deliver them from the threat of the Assyrian army. This theme of unwavering faith and trust in God is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, and this verse serves as a powerful example of the Israelites' reliance on divine intervention in times of crisis.
Furthermore, this verse also highlights the importance of leadership and the role of a king in guiding and protecting his people. King Hezekiah's commandment to the people to not answer the Rabshakeh was a strategic decision to maintain order and unity among his subjects in the face of external threats. It also shows his commitment to upholding the worship of Yahweh and preserving the spiritual integrity of his kingdom.
Symbolism can also be found in this verse. The people's silence in the face of the Rabshakeh's taunts can be seen as a symbolic act of defiance against the forces of oppression and unbelief. It represents their refusal to give in to fear and doubt, and their determination to stand firm in their faith. Additionally, King Hezekiah's commandment can be seen as a symbol of his role as a protector and shepherd of his people, leading them in the ways of righteousness and preserving their spiritual well-being.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 18:36 is a significant verse that captures the themes of faith, obedience, and trust in God, as well as the importance of leadership in times of crisis. It serves as a powerful example of the Israelites' unwavering commitment to their king and their God, and their refusal to be shaken by the threats of their enemies. This verse continues to inspire and encourage believers to stand firm in their faith and trust in God, even in the midst of trials and tribulations.
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2 Kings 18:36 Artwork
2 Kings 18:36 - "But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."
"But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not." - 2 Kings 18:36
Elijah in the scene 1 Kings 18:36–38
2 kings 9:34-36
2 Kings 15:36 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 19:36 - "So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh."
2 Kings 10:36 - "And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years."
2 Kings 14:18 - "And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Chronicles 36:18 - "And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon."
1 Kings 2:36 - "¶ And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither."
2 Kings 1:18 - "Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
john 18:36
"¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" - 2 Kings 15:36
"So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh." - 2 Kings 19:36
1 Kings 2:18 - "And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king."
2 Kings 8:18 - "And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD."
2 Kings 18:18 - "And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder."
1 Kings 18:2 - "And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria."
2 Kings 4:36 - "And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son."
2 Kings 23:36 - "¶ Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah."
2 Kings 18:15 - "And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house."
"And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years." - 2 Kings 10:36
1 Kings 18:36 - "And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word."
"And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" - 2 Kings 14:18
2 Kings 3:18 - "And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand."
2 Kings 18:33 - "Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?"
2 Kings 18:5 - "He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him."
2 Kings 16:18 - "And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria."
2 Kings 4:18 - "¶ And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers."
2 Kings 2:18 - "And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?"