What does 2 Kings 18:7 mean?
"And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not." - 2 Kings 18:7
The Bible verse 2 Kings 18:7 in the King James Version (KJV) reads, "And the Lord was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not." This verse is found in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of 2 Kings, which chronicles the history of the kings of Israel and Judah.
In this verse, the "him" referred to is Hezekiah, the son of King Ahaz, who reigned over the kingdom of Judah. The verse describes how the Lord was with Hezekiah, and as a result, he prospered in all his undertakings. It highlights Hezekiah's defiance against the king of Assyria, refusing to serve him and rebelling against his authority.
The theme of divine favor and prosperity is evident in this verse. The text emphasizes the belief that those who have the Lord on their side will be blessed and successful in their endeavors. Hezekiah's prosperity is attributed to the presence of the Lord in his life, demonstrating the importance of faith and obedience in receiving God's blessings.
Furthermore, Hezekiah's rebellion against the king of Assyria is a symbol of his refusal to submit to foreign powers and his determination to uphold the sovereignty of Judah. This act of defiance is a demonstration of Hezekiah's faith in the protection and support of the Lord, rather than relying on alliances with other nations or succumbing to threats from a more powerful enemy.
The broader context of this verse is the historical and political landscape of the ancient Near East. During Hezekiah's reign, the kingdom of Judah faced significant challenges, particularly from the expansionist policies of the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians, led by Sennacherib, sought to assert their dominance over the region, including the kingdom of Judah.
Hezekiah's refusal to serve the king of Assyria not only reflects his commitment to his faith and the autonomy of Judah but also sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow. The Assyrian threat becomes the backdrop for the famous siege of Jerusalem, where Hezekiah and his people rely on the Lord for deliverance and ultimately witness a miraculous intervention.
In terms of symbolism, Hezekiah's rebellion against the king of Assyria can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual warfare and resistance against worldly powers that seek to undermine the sovereignty of God's people. It represents the ongoing struggle between faithfulness to the Lord and the temptations of earthly powers and influences.
Overall, 2 Kings 18:7 serves as a reminder of the importance of steadfast faith, the favor of the Lord, and the steadfast commitment to resisting forces that seek to undermine God's authority. It offers encouragement to believers to trust in God's promises and to remain faithful in the face of adversity, knowing that His presence and protection will lead to prosperity and ultimate victory.
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2 Kings 18:7 - "And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not."
"And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not." - 2 Kings 18:7
2 Kings 7:18 - "And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria:"
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 Kings 7:2
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?"
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 7:11 - "And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within."
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."
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."
2 Kings 7:7 - "Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life."
"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?"
1 Kings 18:7 - "¶ And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?"
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 2:7 - "And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan."
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?"
2 Kings 18:3 - "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did."
2 Kings 25:18 - "¶ And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:"
2 Kings 18:28 - "Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:"
2 Kings 18:10 - "And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken."
2 Kings 18:8 - "He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city."
1 Kings 7:18 - "And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter."
2 Kings 18:29 - "Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:"