Hezekiah was the 13th king of Judah, and his reign is depicted in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, with the prophecy of Isaiah, being marked by his efforts to purge Judah of idolatry, restore the Temple, and re-establish the observance of Passover. Amidst immense political turmoil, including the menacing advance of the Assyrian empire, Hezekiah's story is one of divine intervention and strategic leadership. His reliance on prophetic guidance and his bold trust in God during the siege of Jerusalem offer profound insights into the challenges and spiritual commitments of a ruler determined to lead his people according to God's will.
"In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done." (2 Kings 18:1-3)
Hezekiah in the Bible: Table of Contents
Who was Hezekiah?
Righteous king Hezekiah, who lived from 721-691 B.C., was the son of the ungodly king Ahaz. The life of Hezekiah is described in the Bible book of 2 Kings, chapters 18-20.
Hezekiah became the king of Judah at the age of twenty-five and reigned in Jerusalem for 29 years. A faithful worshipper of the True God, Hezekiah reopened the Temple of Solomon (2 Chronicles 20:3). At the occurrence of Passover, to which he gathered all the subjects of the kingdom of Israel, Hezekiah gave directives to eradicate the idols throughout his kingdom, warning his people of the retributions which befell their ancestors for abandoning the True God. After this, idolatry stopped not only in the kingdom of Judah but also in many areas in the kingdom of Israel.
Therefore, God delivered him from his enemies and answered his prayers. In the 14th year of Hezekiah's reign, the Assyrian king Sennacherib, son of Salmanassar, having defeated Israel, assembled his forces to make war upon Hezekiah.
Hezekiah Meaning
In Hebrew, the name is written as חִזְקִיָּהוּ (Ḥizqîyāhû). The name Hezekiah consists of two components:
"Ḥizqî" (חִזְקִי): This part of the name is derived from the Hebrew root חזק (ḥāzaq), which means "to be strong" or "to strengthen." It can also carry the connotation of being courageous, firm, or resolute.
"Yāhû" (יָהוּ): The suffix "Yāhû" is a short form of the divine name of God in Hebrew, which is often rendered as "Yah" or "Yahweh." Therefore, this part of the name signifies a connection to God or acknowledges God's involvement.
When combined, the name Hezekiah can be understood to mean "Yahweh strengthens" or "God gives strength." It reflects a deep faith in God's empowering presence and the belief that one's strength and courage are derived from a relationship with Him.
Hezekiah in the Bible
Hezekiah Reigns in Judah (2 Kings 18:1-12)
In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.
He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan). He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. For he held fast to the LORD. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; wherever he went out, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and would not serve him.
He struck down the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city. In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria and besieged it, and at the end of three years he took it. In the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken. The king of Assyria carried the Israelites away to Assyria and put them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, because they did not obey the voice of the LORD their God but transgressed his covenant, even all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded. They neither listened nor obeyed.
Dawn Wilson explains the Bible story of King Hezekiah and Sennacherib, saying:
In 701 BC, the Assyrians under King Sennacherib invaded Judah for the first time, marching against Jerusalem. The Assyrians had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. Hezekiah tried to appease the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, by giving him silver and gold from his own treasures and the Temple (2 Kings 18:13-16), but this appeasement didn’t last long. The Assyrians openly taunted and defied Judah’s God, likening Him to the powerless gods in nations they already had overcome (2 Kings 18:28-35; 19:10-12). Sennacherib told the people Hezekiah was lying to them about being able to deliver them from his hand (2 Kings 18:29-36).
What did Hezekiah Pray for?
Dealing with the threats from Sennacherib, Hezekiah mourned, but he knew where to seek help. He sought guidance from the prophet Isaiah (2 Kings 19:1-5). Prophet Isaiah told him Sennacherib would hear a rumor and return to his own land where he would die by the sword (2 Kings 19:6-7). As Sennacherib persisted to disregard God, he sent a letter to Hezekiah. Judah’s king once again returned to the Temple to pray.
As he laid the Assyrian’s letter before the Lord, he prayed a humble, powerful supplication of faith, pleading for deliverance so all the kingdoms would know that the Lord alone is God (2 Kings 19:19). Hezekiah recognized it was not his own reputation that was at stake; it was God’s. A second response came from Isaiah: Assyria would never enter Jerusalem. The city would be spared (2 Kings 19:32-34).
The Lord held His promise to safeguard Jerusalem. The angel of the LORD slew 185,000 Assyrians that night (2 Kings 19:35) and those who remained retreated in defeat to Nineveh the next morning, including Sennacherib. The Lord brought the victory (2 Chronicles 32:21-22). As for Sennacherib, when he worshipped in the temple of his god Nisrok, his sons killed him by the sword as Isaiah had prophesied (2 Kings 19:36-37).
What Can We Learn from Hezekiah?
Hezekiah was the first king since David to keep the Lord's commandments, restore right worship for the people, and to honor Him as True God. Even so, he was unable to prevent the captivity foretold to him in his latter days (2 Kings 20:18), accepting it with trust in the Lord.
Hezekiah was a humble man who called on the Lord and sought His direction by way of His prophets. The Lord turned back the immediate threat of the enemy because of the faithful prayers from Hezekiah.
The Lord overturned His words spoken to Hezekiah by Isaiah because of Hezekiah's fervent prayers and heartfelt tears.
"In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.'" Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, "Now, O LORD, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight."And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: "Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD, and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David's sake." (2 Kings 20:1-6)
John Cassian commented on this compassion of God saying, "What can be clearer than this proof that out of consideration for mercy and goodness the Lord would rather break His word, and instead of the prearranged limit of death, extend the life of him who prayed, for fifteen years, rather than be found inexorable because of His unchangeable decree?"
"And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:7-8)
Sources:
Hezekiah in the Bible - Crosswalk.com
Righteous Hezekiah - OCA.org
Photo credit: Getty/lucky-photographer
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