מלכים ב, פרק י״ח, פסוק ל״א

The Assyrian king employs a calculated psychological tactic to break the resolve of Jerusalem's residents. By promising immediate relief from the severe hardships of the siege, he aims to persuade the people to abandon their loyalty to King Hezekiah and surrender peacefully.

He frames his call for submission as an opportunity for mutual benefit. The primary approach among commentators views this proposal as an offer for a formal peace agreement, rooted in reconciliation and compromise. Yet, the exact nature of this arrangement carries different shades of meaning. It can be understood simply as an invitation to exchange peaceful greetings [רש״י]. Alternatively, it represents a demand for formal submission, requiring the trapped citizens to present an actual tribute or gift of peace to their conquerors [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד]. Another perspective focuses on the practical outcome of the treaty. If the residents choose to surrender and step outside the city walls, the resulting peace will be their true reward, allowing them to safely return to their fields and enjoy their harvest [רלב״ג].

To make the offer irresistible, the Assyrian king promises an end to their suffocating confinement. He guarantees that upon surrendering, the agonizing threat of starvation and thirst will immediately vanish [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Instead of being trapped behind defensive walls, the people will be entirely free to walk out into the open to gather fresh fruit and draw water without fear [מצודת דוד]. This promise appeals directly to their basic needs, offering them unrestricted access to the familiar water cisterns located in the agricultural gardens just outside the city [רד״ק].