² Then the king of Assyria sent his royal spokesman, along with a massive army, from Lachish^(A) to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. The Assyrian stood near the conduit of the upper pool, by the road to Launderer’s Field.^{(B) 3} Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the court secretary,^(C) and Joah son of Asaph, the court historian, came out to him.