ישעיהו, פרק ל״ז, פסוק ט׳

The Assyrian empire, focused on securing control over the Philistine region following a series of rebellions, is suddenly forced to change its military plans. An advancing Nubian-Egyptian army arrives to assist the rebels, compelling the Assyrian king to reconsider his siege on Jerusalem and shift his strategic priorities. The king [רש״י, שד״ל, שטיינזלץ] receives a rumor from passing travelers regarding Tirhakah [מצודת דוד], a member of a Nubian dynasty from Cush who is ruling over Egypt at the time [שטיינזלץ]. The travelers report that Tirhakah has left his country with the intent to wage war against Assyria, even though actual combat has not yet begun [מלבי״ם].

Recognizing the severity of this new threat, the Assyrian king realizes he can no longer spare the forces needed to conquer Jerusalem. Instead, he must prepare his army to march south for the impending major conflict [שטיינזלץ]. The reaction to this news occurs in two stages: first, the physical act of hearing the rumor, and second, the internal acceptance of its truth. The king comes to terms with the reality of the situation and decides that the necessary course of action is to withdraw from Jerusalem and prioritize the battle against the King of Cush [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

Despite abandoning the camps surrounding Jerusalem, the Assyrian king sends messengers directly to Hezekiah, raising questions about his true intentions. One perspective suggests that the messengers arrive to deliver a threat, making it clear to Hezekiah that the Assyrian withdrawal is strictly temporary and that the army will eventually return [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Another approach views the sending of messengers as a calculated diplomatic maneuver. Realizing that he must retreat and that the people of Jerusalem will not overthrow Hezekiah, the Assyrian king hopes to secure a surrender without a fight. His goal is to force Hezekiah into an agreement where he pays taxes and becomes a submissive servant. For this reason, unlike previous encounters where the Assyrians directed their threats at the general population to incite panic, these messengers speak exclusively to Hezekiah [מלבי״ם].