King Hezekiah

Scripture: 2 Kings 18-20 & 2 Chronicles 31:20

Hezekiah was the son of King Ahaz. Ahaz was the king of Judah. Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became the 13th king of Judah, and Hezekiah was the king for 29 years in Jerusalem. Hezekiah did what was right in the sight of the Lord.

Hezekiah repaired the temple and took down the idols that the people had been worshipping. (2 Chronicles 29:3) God said 'Do not have idols!' God had told Moses to make a bronze serpent for the people to look at when they were bitten by a snake while they were in the wilderness. But, over time, the people started to worship it and burn incense to it. Hezekiah knew that was wrong, so he broke it into pieces. (2 Kings 18:4)

King Hezekiah trusted God. The Bible tells us in 2 Kings 18:5-6 that there wasn't any other king of Judah before or after him that was like him. Hezekiah stayed faithful to God, always following Him. He kept God's commandments that had been given to Moses. The Lord was with King Hezekiah and he prospered (did well) everywhere he went.

The King of Assyria sent a great army to Jerusalem. They were standing at the aqueduct and called to King Hezekiah. Some of King Hezekiah's men went out to talk to them. They made fun of them and mocked King Hezekiah. (19) The army wanted Hezekiah's people to make a pledge to the king of Assyria, and shouted to everyone that the king of Assyria would win the fight and they shouldn't listen to King Hezekiah! King Hezekiah will not win the battle! Don't listen to King Hezekiah!

When King Hezekiah heard about this, he tore his clothes and went into the temple. He sent his men to find Isaiah the prophet. (2 Kings 19:2) Isaiah told them to tell the king that the Lord has spoken and said not to be afraid. God said the King of Assyria will hear a rumor and will return home. He will die by the sword in his own land.

King Hezekiah prayed to God to save the people. God told Isaiah the prophet that the King of Assyria would not fight in their city.

Here is what happened. During the night, the angel of God went out and went to the Assyrian camp. The angel killed 185,000 people. When the people got up early the next morning, they found all the people dead. So, the king of Assyria returned home and stayed at Nineveh. (35-36)

2 Chronicles 31:20Hezekiah was faithful to God. He did what was 'good and right and true'. All the work he did was according to the law and commandments of God. Hezekiah put his whole heart into his works and he prospered (did well).