Hlavný čašník. a oltáre odstránil Chizkija a potom povedal Judsku a Jeruzalemu: Pred týmto oltárom sa budete klaňať?Stav sa teda s mojím pánom, asýrskym kráľom! Dám ti dvetisíc koní, si schopný dať na ne jazdcov?Potom ako by si odrazil čo len najmenšieho miestodržiteľa z najmenších služobníkov môjho pána, aj keď sa spoliehaš na Egypt, na jeho vozy a jazdcov?Či som teraz bez Hospodina pritiahol do tejto krajiny, aby som ju zničil? Veď Hospodin mi povedal: Vytiahni proti tejto krajine a znič ju.Vtedy Eljákím, Šebna a Joach odvetili Rabšakovi: Rozprávaj sa so svojimi služobníkmi aramejsky, lebo my tak rozumieme. Nehovor s nami judsky pred ľudom, ktorý je na hradbách!Rabšake odpovedal: Či ma môj pán poslal aby som hovoril tieto slová tvojmu pánovi a tebe, nie mužom, čo sedia na múre, aby spolu s vami jedli svoj výkal a pili svoj moč?Potom sa rabšake postavil a silným hlasom v jazyku židov zvolal: Čujte slová veľkého kráľa, asýrskeho kráľa!Takto hovorí kráľ: Nech vás Chizkija neklame, lebo vás nemôže oslobodiť.Nech vám Chizkija ne dodáva nádej v Hospodina, keď hovorí: Určite nás Hospodin vyslobodí a toto mesto sa nedostane do ruky asýrskeho kráľa.Nepočúvajte Chizkiju, lebo asýrsky kráľ hovorí takto: Uzavrite so mnou zmluvu a vyjdite ku mne! Potom každý bude jesť svoje hrozno, každý bude jesť svoje figy a každý bude piť vodu zo svojej studne,kým neprídem a neodvediem vás do krajiny, ako je vaša, do krajiny obilia a muštu, do krajiny chleba a vína.Nech vás Chizkija nezavádza, keď hovorí: Hospodin nás vyslobodí! Azda niektorý spomedzi bohov národov vyslobodil svoju krajinu z rúk asýrskeho kráľa?Kde sú bohovia Chamatu a Arpadu? Kde sú bohovia Sefarvajima? Či vyslobodili Samáriu z mojej ruky?Ktorý zo všetkých bohov týchto krajín vyslobodil svoju krajinu z mojej ruky? A vari Hospodin vyslobodí Jeruzalem z mojej ruky?Stíchli a neodpovedali ani slova, lebo tak znel kráľov rozkaz: Neodpovedajte mu!Vtedy prišiel Chilkijov syn Eljakím, správca paláca, pisár Šebna a kancelár Joach, syn Asafa, k Chizkijovi s roztrhnutým rúchom a oznámili mu slová rabšaka.
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, the Assyrian commander is speaking to the people of Jerusalem. He is offering them two thousand horses if they agree to pledge loyalty to the king of Assyria. The commander is basically saying that if they can handle two thousand horses, they will get them, but it's a trick to show his power.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing a game where someone offers you a really big prize if you can carry all of it. The Assyrian commander is like that, offering a lot of horses, but only if Jerusalem can handle them. It's like saying, 'You can have all these horses, but can you really take care of them?'
Historical Background
This verse is part of the Book of Isaiah, written by the prophet Isaiah around 700 BC. It describes a historical event where the Assyrian army besieges Jerusalem. The Assyrian commander taunts the people of Jerusalem, trying to break their will to resist.
Living It Out Today
Today, we might face people who offer us deals that seem too good to be true, like getting something amazing if we agree to do something we can't actually handle. This verse reminds us to be careful of such offers and to consider our abilities before making promises.
The main message is about the Assyrian commander's attempt to intimidate and manipulate the people of Jerusalem by offering them horses in exchange for their pledge of loyalty, showcasing the Assyrian's power and cunning.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Isaiah?
Isaiah often deals with messages of divine protection and the futility of trusting in human power. This verse shows the Assyrian's attempts at intimidation, contrasting with the prophetic assurance of divine deliverance.
Can you explain the historical context of this verse?
This verse is set during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, around 700 BC. The Assyrians were trying to subdue the city, and the commander's offer was part of their psychological warfare tactics.
What can we learn from the Assyrian commander's approach?
We can learn to be wary of offers that seem too good to be true and to consider our abilities before making commitments. This verse teaches us about the importance of discernment and the dangers of overconfidence.