The Assyrian king's envoy is trying to undermine the confidence of the people of Judah by questioning their reliance on God. He points out that Hezekiah, their king, has removed the high places and altars throughout the land, which were used for worship. These actions were part of Hezekiah's religious reforms to ensure that worship was conducted according to God's instructions, specifically at the temple in Jerusalem. The envoy's argument is meant to create doubt, suggesting that by removing these places of worship, Hezekiah might have actually offended God.
However, Hezekiah's reforms were intended to purify the religious practices of Judah, eliminating idolatry and unauthorized worship. This centralization of worship was in line with God's commandments, emphasizing the importance of worshiping God in the way He prescribed. The verse highlights the tension between political and spiritual challenges faced by the people of Judah. It serves as a reminder that true faith often requires difficult decisions and reforms, and that reliance on God should be based on sincere and correct worship, not on external appearances or practices.