2 Kings 18:19

“Rab-shakeh said--The insolent tone he assumed appears surprising. But this boasting [Kg2 18:19-25], both as to matter and manner, his highly colored picture of his master's powers and resources, and the impossibility of Hezekiah making any effective resistance, heightened by all the arguments and figures which an Oriental imagination could suggest, has been paralleled in all, except the blasphemy, by other messages of defiance sent on similar occasions in the history of the East.”

“The Rab-shakeh, the third in rank of the three Assyrian ambassadors, probably took the prominent part in the conference because he could speak Hebrew 2 Kings 18:26, whereas the Tartan and the Rabsaris could not do so. The great king - This title of the monarchs of Assyria is found in use as early as 1120 B.C. Like the title, “king of kings,” the distinctive epithet “great” served to mark emphatically the vast difference between the numerous vassal monarchs and the suzerain of whom they held their crowns. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Thus saith, &c. - But what are the greatest men when they come to compare with God, or when God comes to contend with them? 4 Kings (2 Kings) 18:21”

“18:19-22 In earlier days, the term great king was reserved for the kings of the leading military powers, but it had become a standard epithet for Assyrian kings. • What are you trusting in? The Assyrian officer asserted that the citizens of Jerusalem, faced with Assyria’s overwhelming military superiority, would be foolish to trust in Hezekiah’s words. Similarly, soliciting help from Egypt would be foolish. Finally, the chief of staff argued that trust in the Lord would also be misplaced. Perhaps the officer hoped to gain the loyalty of citizens who had worshiped at the shrines and altars that Hezekiah had destroyed.”

“Rabshakeh: He was the chief speaker, being a very eloquent man, and, according to the Hebrews, whom Procopius follows, an apostate Jew; which is not improbable, as he spoke Hebrew so fluently; and when he blasphemed the Divine Majesty, the king and nobles rent their clothes, which was usual unless the blasphemer were an Israelite. Thus saith: Ch2 32:10; Isa 10:8-14, Isa 36:4, Isa 37:13; Dan 4:30 What confidence: Kg2 18:22, Kg2 18:29, Kg2 18:30, Kg2 19:10; Ch2 32:7, Ch2 32:8, Ch2 32:10, Ch2 32:11, Ch2 32:14-16; Psa 4:2; Isa 36:4, Isa 36:7, Isa 37:10 4 Kings (2 Kings) 18:20”