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ISAIAH.
#15.
Sennacherib's Threat and his Destruction
(36: - 37:).
pp. 154 - 158
Having seen how fully the scriptural record of Sennacherib's invasion is subserved by
archaeology, we now turn to the more important side of attempting to discover the
teaching that is embedded in that record. One of the first things we must do is to
endeavour to get an idea of the passage as a whole. We note that the Companion Bible
sorts the subject-matter out under the sub-heading of three "kings",
xxxvi.1 - 37: 13 . . . . .
THE KING OF ASSYRIA.
38: 1 . . . . .
THE KING OF TERRORS.
39: 1 . . . . .
THE KING OF BABYLON.
If "kings" are to form the nucleus of this structure, then some are omitted, for the
"kings" of Judah, of Egypt, of Ethiopia, of Hamath, and of Arphad, are also named in the
passage. We have therefore omissions from the structure, and also the intrusion of the
name "The King of Terrors". While it is true that Hezekiah was "sick unto death", the
title "The King of Terrors" is not found here but in Job 18: 14, and found, too, in the
argument of Bildad the Shuhite, whose reasoning concerning Job and Job's "wickedness"
was fallacious. We feel obliged to omit this title, therefore, which leaves the structure of
our passage still unascertained, for we have made it a rule never to import into a passage
words that belong elsewhere. In doing so we nevertheless gladly record that we have
nothing but admiration for the colossal pioneer work exhibited in The Companion Bible.
Indeed, we but follow the spirit that actuated its author. It is, however, beyond the limits
of our space, the purpose of these studies, and the usefulness of these articles to the
reader, to provide a structure that will account for every detail. While our aim is the
truth, our ability may never permit us to display all that there is of the truth, and we are
therefore limited to making selections. Here again, under God, the human element is
present. Who is to select? Who will guarantee the accuracy of the selection? With great
diffidence, therefore, we submit the following very simply outline, believing that upon
these selected recurring words the whole story of Isa. 36:-39: may be based.
We observe in the opening of the narrative that while Sennacherib is mentioned, it is
Rabshakeh who is prominent, "The king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh" (Isa. 36: 2).
Moreover, we observe that in the sequel, where Hezekiah fails, it is connected with
another embassy. "The king of Babylon sent letters and a present" (Isa. 39: 1). In
these two passages the word used in the original is the same, namely shalach. It occurs
eight times in this section and punctuates the record as follows:--