Chapter Summary
Chapter 36 of Isaiah describes a pivotal moment during King Hezekiah's reign in Judah. Sennacherib, the powerful king of Assyria, has invaded Judah and captured many of its fortified cities. He then sends his chief commander, Rabshakeh, with a large army to Jerusalem to demand its surrender. Rabshakeh delivers a long, mocking, and arrogant message, speaking in Hebrew so the people on the city walls can hear. He tries to demoralize them by ridiculing their trust in Egypt and, more importantly, in the LORD their God, suggesting that Hezekiah's religious reforms have angered God, and that no god has ever saved a nation from Assyria's might. Hezekiah's officials, in distress, refuse to answer Rabshakeh and instead return to the king to report the Assyrian's threatening words.