Read the Passage: 2 Kings 19:8–20:21

Hezekiah’s Prayer (19:8–37)

Recall that when the king of Assyria laid siege to Jerusalem and sent emissaries to boast against God, Hezekiah approached the prophet Isaiah to ask for God’s intervention. In response, God assured Hezekiah that the Assyrian king would soon return to his own country, where he would die (cf. 2 Kings 19:1–7). Next, Isa. 19:8–13 reports that the Assyrians had to adjust their military plans, for the king of Ethiopia had come up to fight against them. The Assyrians then warned Hezekiah not to think he’d been delivered by God. When Hezekiah received this letter, he presented it to God in the temple and prayed, “Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib . . . O Lord our God, I pray: save us from his hand” (2 Kings 19:16, 19). Note the fact that God had already promised deliverance highlights Hezekiah’s anxiety.

In response to the Assyrian letter and Hezekiah’s prayer, God spoke again to Hezekiah through the prophet Isaiah, expanding upon what He had said earlier at 2 Kings 19:6–7. In His response here at 2 Kings 19:21–34 God: (1) mocked the arrogance of the Assyrians (cf. 2 Kings 19:21–24), (2) declared that the Assyrians’ power was derived from Him (cf. 2 Kings 19:25–28), (3) informed Hezekiah that Judah’s future flourishing in the land would be a sign from Him (cf. 2 Kings 19:29–31), and (4) assured Hezekiah that the King of Assyria would not enter into Jerusalem (cf. 2 Kings 19:32–34). Given the approach of the Ethiopian army, one might expect a simple departure of the Assyrians from Jerusalem. Yet, 2 Kings 19:35 reports that an angel of the Lord appeared at night and killed 185,000 Assyrians. Sennacherib then returned to Assyria where he was murdered by his two sons.

Hezekiah’s Healing (20:1–19)

2 Kings 20:1–19 records a time during the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign when he became sick. Note that the events of 2 Kings 19 and 20 likely occurred at the same time. Hezekiah’s illness is not identified, but it included an infected skin abscess. Hezekiah was visited by the prophet Isaiah who told him that his death was imminent. While this news would be received in different ways by different people, Hezekiah’s reaction was to weep bitterly and to reminded God of his righteous deeds. God’s response was to ask Isaiah to tell the king that: (1) he would soon be healed, (2) he would have fifteen more years of life, and (3) Jerusalem would be delivered from the Assyrian army. After declaring these things to the king, Isaiah told Hezekiah to put a lump of figs on his boil. Furthermore, God allowed the king to ask for a sign, and Hezekiah asked God to make the shadow on the sundial go backward.

While Babylon is mentioned earlier in Scripture (cf. Gen. 11:1–2; 2 Kings 17:24), this present passage is an important narrative, for it is the first time Babylon is referred to in Scripture as a rising geopolitical power. Evidently, the king of Babylon learned about Hezekiah’s healing and sent him a gift. Hezekiah then foolishly showed the Babylonian emissaries all of his treasures. After the Babylonians departed, Isaiah prophesied that one day Israel would be deported to Babylon. Hezekiah’s response is curious, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good! . . . Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?” (2 Kings 20:19). This reply is intriguing, for it is unclear if Hezekiah is being humble and meek, or if he is being self-centered and immoral. Older commentators offer more favorable interpretations of this verse, while modern ones tend to be more critical.

Hezekiah’s Death (20:20–21)

While commentators may disagree on how to interpret 2 Kings 20:19, it is clear that after referring to the healing of Hezekiah in the book of 2 Chronicles, the author observed, “Hezekiah did not repay [God] according to the favor shown him, for [the king’s] heart was lifted up; therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart” (2 Chron. 32:25–26). This might lead us more toward a self-centered interpretation of 2 Kings 20:21, as well as an overall dimmer view of Hezekiah’s reign. Yet, recall that Hezekiah was praised at 2 Kings 18:3 as one of the more godly kings of Judah. Indeed, Hezekiah is one of only four kings who receives such high praise—the others being Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Josiah. Regardless of the murky events in the waning years of Hezekiah’s life, he accomplished much good for Judah, and passed away after a twenty-nine year reign.

Application Questions:

1. Given Hezekiah’s godly character, why did God allow him to face many trials during his twenty-nine year reign?
2. Given that God had already promised deliverance, why did Hezekiah pray to God again for salvation?
3. Does the slaying of 185,000 Assyrian soldiers seem excessive? Was the death of these soldiers just?
4. Why did God offer Hezekiah the opportunity to ask for a sign to authenticate His message through Isaiah?
5. How do you view Hezekiah’s response in 2 Kings 20:21: Is it a statement of humility, or a revelation of moral weakness?