In brief
Hezekiah is king of Judah, son of Ahaz, and reigns twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. The biblical text says that he did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh. He purifies the temple, removes the high places and breaks the bronze serpent. When Sennacherib besieges Jerusalem, he prays, and Yahweh delivers the city. Gravely ill, he prays again and receives fifteen more years of life. He shows the power of prayer and the traps of pride.
What does the name Hezekiah mean?
The name Hezekiah is generally linked to the Hebrew expression “Yahweh strengthens” or “Yahweh is my strength.” The Bible gives no explanation of this name, but his reign illustrates the idea.
The story of Hezekiah
A king who does what is right
2 Kings 18:1-8Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, becomes king of Judah at twenty-five. He does what is right in the eyes of Yahweh, removes the high places and breaks the bronze serpent that the people worshiped. He trusts in Yahweh, and no king of Judah is like him.
The purification of the temple
2 Chronicles 29:1-36In the first year of his reign, Hezekiah reopens the doors of the temple and gathers the Levites to purify it. They remove the defilement, consecrate the utensils, and the service of Yahweh is restored with sacrifices and songs of praise.
Sennacherib before Jerusalem
2 Kings 18:13-37Sennacherib, king of Assyria, attacks the fortified cities of Judah and sends a commander of his army to Jerusalem. He mocks Hezekiah's trust in Yahweh and shouts to the people on the wall not to let their king deceive them into thinking that Yahweh will save the city.
Hezekiah's prayer
2 Kings 19:1-37Hezekiah tears his clothes, goes up to the house of Yahweh and spreads Sennacherib's letter before him. He prays. Isaiah tells him that Yahweh has heard, and the angel of Yahweh strikes the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib leaves and does not return.
Fifteen years added
2 Kings 20:1-11Hezekiah falls gravely ill, and Isaiah tells him that he will die and must put his house in order. He turns his face to the wall, prays and weeps bitterly. Yahweh hears him, adds fifteen years and gives him a sign: the shadow goes back ten steps.
The envoys from Babylon
2 Kings 20:12-21Envoys of the king of Babylon come to congratulate Hezekiah, who shows them all his treasures. Isaiah tells him that everything will one day be carried off to Babylon. Hezekiah says that the word of Yahweh is good, since there will be peace and security in his lifetime.
What Hezekiah teaches us
- A leader can change the spiritual atmosphere of a people by choosing to return to Yahweh.
- Faced with a threat that overwhelms us, the best response is to lay the letter before God and pray.
- God hears the tears of those who cry out to him and can change a situation announced as hopeless.
- Success can expose us to pride: Hezekiah shows his treasures without consulting Yahweh.
- What once served God can become an idol: Hezekiah breaks the bronze serpent when the people worship it instead of worshiping Yahweh.
Key verses
Hezekiah trusted in Yahweh, the God of Israel. After him and before him, no king of Judah was like him. This verse describes trust as the central trait of his reign.
Hezekiah goes up to the house of Yahweh, spreads the enemy's letter before him and prays. This model prayer shows how to lay a threat before God and ask him to act for his glory.
Yahweh tells Hezekiah that he has heard his prayer and seen his tears, and that he is adding fifteen years to his life. This passage shows that God answers humble and sincere prayer.
Sermons about Hezekiah
Frequently asked questions
Who was Hezekiah in the Bible?
Hezekiah is king of Judah, son of Ahaz, who reigns twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. He restores the worship of Yahweh, resists Sennacherib's invasion through prayer, and receives fifteen extra years of life after a grave illness.
What does the name Hezekiah mean?
The name Hezekiah is generally linked to the Hebrew expression “Yahweh strengthens” or “Yahweh is my strength.” The Bible gives no explanation of this name, but it fits well with the trust that marks his reign.
Where can I find Hezekiah's story in the Bible?
His story is in 2 Kings 18 to 20: his reign, Sennacherib's invasion, his illness and the visit of the envoys from Babylon. It is also told in 2 Chronicles 29 to 32, with the purification of the temple.