Men's Ministry
Please read II Kings 18:1-8
1. In verse 3, we’re immediately told that Hezekiah did right in the eyes of the Lord. What did he do and how does this compare to the kings of Judah that came before Hezekiah?
2. How is Hezekiah’s purging of idolatry a “type” of Christ?
3. In the second half of verse 4, he destroyed a bronze serpent made by Moses. ("Nehushtan" sounds like the Hebrew words for "bronze" and "snake.") Where did this bronze serpent come from and why did Moses make it about 800 years earlier? See Numbers 21:1-9.
4. The people took a good thing – the bronze snake – and made it an idol (which is why Hezekiah destroyed it). Do we take good things and make them idolatrous in the modern church? What examples can you think of?
5. Why do you think Hezekiah clung so tightly to the Lord (verse 6), especially when his father (Ahaz) was so bad? From what you know of Scripture, was he under the influence of some other godly man? What can you do to follow Hezekiah’s example?
6. The king of Assyria at this time was Shalmaneser V and Hezekiah’s father subjected himself to this foreign power. This prevented Assyria from attacking Judah. However, Hezekiah broke the treaty and would not send tribute to Assyria. When this happens, it's common that an invasion would ensue. Why did this not happen this time? The same answer applies to why Hezekiah was able to conquer of the Philistines.
3. In the second half of verse 4, he destroyed a bronze serpent made by Moses. ("Nehushtan" sounds like the Hebrew words for "bronze" and "snake.") Where did this bronze serpent come from and why did Moses make it about 800 years earlier? See Numbers 21:1-9.
4. The people took a good thing – the bronze snake – and made it an idol (which is why Hezekiah destroyed it). Do we take good things and make them idolatrous in the modern church? What examples can you think of?
5. Why do you think Hezekiah clung so tightly to the Lord (verse 6), especially when his father (Ahaz) was so bad? From what you know of Scripture, was he under the influence of some other godly man? What can you do to follow Hezekiah’s example?
6. The king of Assyria at this time was Shalmaneser V and Hezekiah’s father subjected himself to this foreign power. This prevented Assyria from attacking Judah. However, Hezekiah broke the treaty and would not send tribute to Assyria. When this happens, it's common that an invasion would ensue. Why did this not happen this time? The same answer applies to why Hezekiah was able to conquer of the Philistines.
Please read II Kings 18:9-12
7. In Hezekiah's fourth year, Shalmaneser attacked Samaria (the capital of the northern ten tribes). Two years after that, in 722 BC, Samaria fell and many of the Israelites were taken away to other nations and the people from those nations were taken to Israel. What kind of message did this send to Judah, the southern kingdom? See especially verse 12.
Please read II Kings 18:13-18
8. When Sennacherib attacked the major cities of Judah, they fell one by one. Jerusalem was the only city left. How did Hezekiah feel about this? What did he do about it?
9. Since Hezekiah did what in did in the previous question, why do you think God rated him a good king, just like David?
10. After the fall of Lachish, Sennacherib sent his negotiating team to Jerusalem (verse 17). (The three names in this verse are the titles of the team members: the field marshal, the chief of staff, and the royal spokesman). What are they doing? What is being negotiated? How is this an allegory to the approach that Satan takes with us?
Please read II Kings 18:19-25
11. The Assyrian negotiating team arrives at the "conduit of the upper pool." This was a waterway that Hezekiah constructed to bring water into the city during an attack by a foreign nation. Hezekiah sends his negotiating team and the Rabshakeh (the royal spokesman) gives them a message for Hezekiah. What is the message and what is he trying to do? Are his words true?
12. The Rabshakeh claims (verse 22) that Judah can't trust the Lord because Hezekiah removed the altars of the high places. Is this true? Why or why not?
13. The Rabshakeh also claims (verse 25) that the LORD (YHWH) is joining Assyria in this attack and actually told them to attack. Is this true? Why or why not?
Please read II Kings 18:26-27
14. Eliakim asks the Rabshakeh to speak in Aramaic instead of Hebrew. Why?
14. Eliakim asks the Rabshakeh to speak in Aramaic instead of Hebrew. Why?
Please read II Kings 18:28-37
15. The Rabshakeh understands that the men on the wall might be eavesdropping. What does he do in response and why?
16. If you were sitting on the wall and the Rabshakeh made his campaign speech, what would you think? Would you believe his offers? Why or why not? Do you see a picture of what the Christian life should be today?
17. Eliakim, Shebnah, and Joah were afraid that the people might hear what the Rabshakeh was saying back in verses 19-24 and be demoralized or decide to surrender. Was their fear reasonable? Why or why not?