In these chapters we study one of the most exciting periods of Judah's history--that of the reign of King Hezekiah. Samaria (Israel) had fallen to Assyria and now the enemy was attacking Judah. Ahaz had made a covenant with Assyria years before, but Hezekiah rebelled against it and invited an invasion from the enemy. Actually, the events of these chapters are not recorded in their exact order, for Hezekiah's sickness occurred during the siege and the visit from the Babylonian leaders followed his recovery. Hezekiah reigned 29 years, and since 15 years were given him after his recovery, and the invasion took place the fourteenth year of his reign, then his sickness and the invasion occurred at the same period in his life.
It was very likely a trying time for the king to be ill while Assyrians threatened to invade, but oftentimes God allows trouble to come into our lives in pairs. However, when we wholly trust the Lord, as Hezekiah did, God is sufficient to meet all our troubles. As Christians, we must remember that Romans 8:28,29 is always true, and that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
