The Assyrians invade Judah (2 Kings 18; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36)

During the 14th year of Hezekiah's reign, the Assyrian army attacked Judah. Initially, Hezekiah bought them off with gold plundered from the temple of God in Jerusalem. Then the army marched on Jerusalem. Hezekiah tampered with the regional water supply and blocked local streams so that the Assyrian army would not find water easily. He also told his people not to worry as God would fight their battle.

But does Hezekiah himself believe that? During this same invasion, he stripped the gold from the temple and gave it to the Assyrians.

This is an interesting question and it is the focus of the discussion recorded in both 2 Kings 18 and Isaiah 36. The Assyrian army commander is near the wall of Jerusalem and shouts to the soldiers on Jerusalem's wall. The Assyrian army commander states that none of the other gods that belonged to other cities saved them from the Assyrian army. This statement is likely true. He also states that he believes that God (Yahweh God) actually told him to attack Jerusalem. This statement might also be true given all the prophecies about the punishment of Judah.

However, the field commander also states that the high places and Ashereth poles that Hezekiah took down were God's. This we know is not true and it might indicate the source of who told him to invade Judah. For instance, if he had a supernatural encounter in which "God" told him to invade Judah in revenge for "God's" Ashereth poles were taken down, then we know it was not actually God telling him to attack Judah.

He never explicitly states that God cannot save Jerusalem but it is strongly implied given the context. This, this reminds me of the taunting by Goliath of Gath before David arrived on the scene.