Rabshakeh
“And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?” II Kings 18.19 Rabshakeh, the royal cupbearer (beverage taster), to the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, was sent to a bewildered nation of Judah centered in the city of Jerusalem. The Assyrian army had already defeated nearly all of those who were in their way toward world conquest – including the ten tribes of Israel. In most cases the defeated nations submitted themselves to the Assyrians and became their slaves. No one would dare stand in the way of this great and mighty military force.
With all that in mind, Rabshakeh (most probably his title rather than his personal name) approached the walled city of Jerusalem with words indicating their superiority to the Jews in their city. He spoke of the Assyrians’ conquests and their ability to conquer this next step in their march. He spoke in the native tongue of the Israelites so that all could hear his braggadocios statements – statements that he could most probably back up with action.
Evidently, Rabshakeh was a defector from the nation of Judah who had aligned himself with Sennacherib. That seems obvious from how fluent he was in speaking with a Hebrew tongue.
The elders of the city, in an attempt to protect the morale of their people pleaded with Rabshakeh not to speak in the Hebrew language, but his own Aramaic. Rabshakeh jeered and taunted Judah’s people and their godly king, Hezekiah.
Without a whim of hope for the possibility of Judah’s victory over the Assyrians, King Hezekiah tore his clothes and wept over the prospects of defeat at the hands of Sennacherib, the Assyrian king.
The Assyrians were known to be vicious people who would perform atrocious acts against those whom they had defeated. They would not only defeat and subjugate those they defeated, but they would torture them with unimaginable acts of cruelty.
Having no where to turn, Hezekiah directed his elders to turn to God. And, Hezekiah prayed – fervently – reminding God that He was the only hope for Israel. This godly king turned the impossible matter over to the God of the impossible. He prayed. (II Kings 19.14-19)
Laying all of his concerns at the feet of his God – Elohim – Hezekiah released the problem into the hands of his Protector even as Rabshakeh continued boasting of their prowess and Judah’s helplessness.
But God – Assyria had assumed that Judah was nothing more than another nation to conquer. They didn’t reckon with the God of Judah and the power of prayer. Having left it all in God’s hands, Hezekiah and the elders of Judah retired to their bedrooms and slept.
In the morning, the arrogant Rabshakeh rode his horse through the encampment of the Assyrian army not knowing what had transpired through the night. Here’s the official report from God’s prophet: “And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.” (II Kings 19.35)
But, what of Rabshakeh? What became of Rabshakeh? His legacy leaves him as a symbol of arrogant defiance against God—and a cautionary tale of what happens when worldly a power tries to mock divine authority.
But God – when the way seems impossible, we must remember that God has already gone ahead of us preparing the way. “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23.10)
Trust God – allow Him opportunity to step in and dispatch the enemy and provide victory for His children. Copyright © 2025 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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