2 Chronicles 32:4

WEB

So many people gathered together, and they stopped all the springs, and the brook that flowed through the midst of the land, saying, "Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?"

KJV

So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?

Commentary

So there was gathered much people together,.... At the instance of Hezekiah, his nobles and officers: who stopped all the fountains; perhaps by laying planks over them, and earth upon them, so that it co uld not be discerned there were any fountains there: and the brook that ran through the midst of the land; which, according to Kimchi, was Gihon, Ch2 32:30 , which was near Jerusalem; the stream of this very probably they turned into channels under ground, whereby it was brought into the city into reservoirs there provided, that that might have a supply during the siege, while the enemy was distressed for want of it: saying, why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water? by which means they would be able to carry on the siege to a great length, when otherwise they would be obliged to raise it quickly: mention is made of kings of Assyria, though there was but one, with whom there might be petty kings, or tributary ones; and, besides, as he boasted, his princes were altogether kings, Isa 10:8 .