Old Testament
2 Kings 18:31
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Stop listening to Hezekiah!' The king of Assyria says: 'Make peace with me and surrender. Then each of you will eat from your own grapevine and your own fig tree, and drink water from your own well,
Compare translations
Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:
What 2 Kings 18:31 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the king of Assyria is trying to persuade the people of Jerusalem to abandon their leader, Hezekiah. He offers them a tempting deal: if they surrender, they can enjoy the comforts of their own homes, eating from their vineyards and drinking from their wells. This message is designed to create doubt and fear among the people, making them question their loyalty to Hezekiah. The Assyrian king wants them to see surrender as a way to secure their own well-being. It’s a classic tactic of intimidation, where the enemy tries to undermine the confidence of those who are standing firm. The promise of peace and personal comfort can be very appealing, especially in times of crisis. However, it’s important to recognize that such offers often come with strings attached, leading to loss of freedom and identity. The challenge is to discern between genuine safety and the false security offered by those who seek to control us. This moment highlights the struggle between faithfulness and the allure of compromise.
How to apply 2 Kings 18:31 to your life
When faced with difficult choices, we may encounter tempting offers that promise comfort and security. It's crucial to evaluate these offers carefully, considering the long-term consequences. Staying true to our values and beliefs can lead to greater fulfillment than any quick fix. Trusting in our principles can guide us through tough times without compromising our integrity. We must choose wisely in moments of pressure and uncertainty.
Curated for this public verse page. 2 Kings Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Moses's story: Israel Enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1:8–22)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Moses
Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about 2 Kings 18:31
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying 2 Kings 18:31
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of 2 Kings
- Author
- Author unknown; possibly Jeremiah
- Written
- Around 560 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- Exiled Israelites in Babylon
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does 2 Kings 18:31 mean?
In 2 Kings 18:31, the king of Assyria is urging the people of Jerusalem to abandon their leader, Hezekiah, by offering them a tempting deal of peace and comfort if they surrender. This verse illustrates the tactics of intimidation used by enemies to create doubt and fear among those who are loyal.
What does 'make peace with me and surrender' imply in this context?
The phrase 'make peace with me and surrender' implies that the Assyrian king is trying to persuade the people to give up their resistance in exchange for safety and the comforts of home, highlighting the pressure they face during a crisis.
How does 2 Kings 18:31 relate to themes of temptation and faithfulness?
2 Kings 18:31 relates to themes of temptation and faithfulness by showing how the promise of comfort can tempt individuals to compromise their values, challenging them to remain loyal to their beliefs despite the allure of an easier path.
What can we learn from the intimidation tactics in 2 Kings 18:31?
From the intimidation tactics in 2 Kings 18:31, we learn the importance of discernment in the face of pressure. It teaches us to evaluate tempting offers carefully and to prioritize our integrity and values over short-term gains.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.