Ep. 144. 2 Kings 18-20 | Hezekiah Reigns

EPISODE 144

HEZEKIAH REIGNS: 2 KINGS 18-20

Aside from David, Hezekiah and later Josiah are probably the most godly examples of Kings that Jerusalem would ever know. The three chapters we have here concerning Hezekiah are also recorded for us in 2 Chronicles and Isaiah. There are not many Kings who merit three entire chapters in the Scriptures after the first three, Saul, David, and Solomon. Hezekiah was the first, after David, to try to lead the people in the truth and grace of God. He restored the Passover celebration and even sought to have the northern kingdom, Israel, return to the authentic worship of God. He was sadly laughed to scorn. 

During Hezekiah's reign, God defeated the Assyrian army, but we will see the reasons for that more clearly in Isaiah. In a single night, God struck down 185,000 men of the Assyrian army, effectively bringing their reign of power to an end. 

Hezekiah was also on his deathbed and would have died had he not prayed that the Lord would extend his life. God answered the prayer and gave Hezekiah another 15 years of life. Three years later, Manasseh would be born to Hezekiah, and he would, at twelve years old, become the most wicked King Jerusalem would ever know. Furthermore, in Hezekiah's final years, he shows the whole of his kingdom to the Babylonians. God then pronounces judgment against the King, declaring that God will bring Jerusalem to nothing and decimate the nation. Hezekiah decided he was okay with such judgment since it would not happen during his days but rather his descendant's days. 

Though he started strong, Hezekiah would die in pride. 

ADDITIONAL READING: Numbers 21:4-9; Isaiah 10; Psalm 20:7-8; 2 Chronicles 30