all destroy
those that are his subjects also. When Rabshakeh had made this speech
in the Hebrew tongue, for he was skillful in that language, Eliakim
was afraid lest the multitude that heard him should be disturbed; so
he desired him to speak in the Syrian tongue. But the general,
understanding what he meant, and perceiving the fear that he was in,
he made his answer with a greater and a louder voice, but in the Hebrew
tongue; and said, that "since they all heard what were the king's
commands, they would consult their own advantage in delivering up
themselves to us; for it is plain the both you and your king dissuade
the people from submitting by vain hopes, and so induce them to resist;
but if you be courageous, and think to drive our forces away, I am ready
to deliver to you two thousand of these horses that are with me for
your use, if you can set as many horsemen on their backs, and show your
strength; but what you have not you cannot produce. Why therefore do
you delay to deliver up yourselves to a superior force, who can take
you without your consent? although it will be safer for you to deliver
yourselves up voluntarily, while a forcible capture, when you are
beaten, must appear more dangerous, and will bring further calamities
upon you."

3. When the people, as well as the ambassadors, heard what the Assyrian
commander said, they related it to Hezekiah, who thereupon put off his
royal apparel, and clothed himself with sackcloth, and took the habit of
a mourner, and, after the manner of his country, he fell upon his face,
and besought God, and entreated him to assist them, now they had no
other hope of relief. He also sent some of his friends, and some of the
priests, to the prophet Isaiah, and desired that he would pray to
God, and offer sacrifices for their common deliverance, and so put up
supplications to him, that he would have indignation at the expectations
of their enemies, and have mercy upon his people. And when the prophet
had done accordingly, an oracle came from God to him, and encouraged
the king and his friends that were about him; and foretold that their
enemies should be beaten without fighting, and should go away in an
ignominious manner, and not with that insolence which they now show, for
that God would take care that they should be destroyed. He also foretold
that Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, should fail of his purpose
against Egypt, and that when he came home he should perish by the swo