Session 12 2 Kings 19:10-19,32-34

THE TAUNT (2 KINGS 19:10-13)

Sennacherib’s threats.

10 “Say this to King Hezekiah of Judah:
‘Don’t let your God, on whom you rely, deceive you
by promising that Jerusalem will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.

11 Look, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the countries:
They completely destroyed them. Will you be rescued? 12 Did the gods of the nations that my predecessors destroyed rescue them — nations such as Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the Edenites in Telassar? 13 Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, or Ivvah?’”

Highlight:

Hezekiah’s strong faith,
read 2 Kings 18:5-6

2 Kings 18

5 He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel;
so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah,
nor among those who were before him.

6 For he clung to the LORD;
he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments,
which the LORD had commanded Moses.

Discuss:

• In what ways did Sennacherib attack Hezekiah’s faith in God with the message he sent?

Read:

contrast the difference between Hezekiah’s one true God and the gods Sennacherib named in verse 12.

KEY DOCTRINE

God

God is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being,
the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe.
(See Jonah 3:10; Acts 14:15.)

Jonah 3

10 ¶When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way,
then God relented concerning the calamity
which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.

Acts 14

15 and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things?
We are also men of the same nature as you,
and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things
to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM.

State:

Sennacherib’s words revealed his pride and his lust for power.

Discuss:

• How can our past success get in the way of our keeping perspective in life and not thinking too highly of ourselves? (p. LIFE

Transition:

Sennacherib threatened Hezekiah with destruction, like the other kings that Assyria had conquered.

Reflect:

Invite the group to imagine they are King Hezekiah.

Ask:

• What might a king do upon receiving Sennacherib’s threatening message?

(Examples: call his generals, fortify the city, call allies for help).

State:

While strengthening his military posture might seem wise,
Hezekiah first turned quickly to God in prayer.