2 Kings 18:9 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to the author of the book, this verse tells us that during the time when a good king named Hezekiah was leading part of God's people, another king from a place called Assyria came to attack a city named Samaria. It was a time when people needed to be brave and trust in God.

Contradiction with 2 Kings 19:35

2 Kings 19:35 discusses the angel of the Lord defeating the Assyrian camp, whereas 2 Kings 18:9 speaks of the Assyrians besieging Samaria, showing a reversal of military fortunes.

2 Kings 19:35: 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.

Contradiction with 2 Kings 19:14

2 Kings 19:14 records Hezekiah receiving a letter from the Assyrians and praying, which contrasts with 2 Kings 18:9 where there is no mention of prayer during the Assyrian siege of Samaria.

2 Kings 19:14: And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

Contradiction with Isaiah 37:33-34

Isaiah 37:33-34 promises that the Assyrian king will not enter Jerusalem, which contradicts with the aggressive advance of the Assyrians in 2 Kings 18:9.

Isaiah 37:33-34: Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it.

Contradiction with 2 Kings 18:13

2 Kings 18:13 describes Sennacherib attacking all the fortified cities of Judah, whereas 2 Kings 18:9 centers on the Assyrian siege against the kingdom of Israel specifically.

2 Kings 18:13: Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them. [Sennacherib: Heb. Sanherib]

Contradiction with Isaiah 10:24-25

Isaiah 10:24-25 encourages God's people not to fear the Assyrians, whereas 2 Kings 18:9 reflects a time of fear and concern due to the siege by the Assyrians.

Isaiah 10:24-25: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. [and shall...: or, but he shall lift up his staff for]

Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 32:20-22

These verses describe the rescue of Jerusalem by divine intervention against the Assyrians, in contrast to the defeat of Israel mentioned in 2 Kings 18:9.