The mighty power of Assyria was threatening the southern kingdom of Judah and its king, Hezekiah. Hezekiah took the very words that Sennacherib had breathed against Judah and spread them out before the Lord (2 Kgs. 19:14). He then prayed that God would listen: “Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear…” (19:16). Normally, when we would read these words, we would expect the person to be asking, “Incline Your ear to me” (as in Psa. 17:6; 71:2; 78:1; 88:2; 102:2). But that was not Hezekiah’s approach. Instead, having spread the words of the enemy before God, Hezekiah pleaded, “Incline Your ear, O Lord…and hear the words of Sennacherib.”
Hezekiah wanted the Lord to hear the threats. Hezekiah knew that “all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:13). He knew that the Lord was all-knowing (including what the enemy said) and all-powerful (including handling the enemy for him). God knows every word that is spoken (cf. Matt. 12:36), both by the righteous and the unrighteous. When threats are breathed against His children (including you), He knows!