Topical Encyclopedia Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, was the 13th king of Judah and is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh. His reign is detailed in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. Hezekiah's lineage is significant in the biblical narrative, as it is through his descendants that the Davidic line continues, ultimately leading to the birth of Jesus Christ, as outlined in the genealogies of the New Testament.Manasseh Hezekiah's most notable descendant is his son Manasseh, who succeeded him as king of Judah. Manasseh's reign is recorded in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33. Despite Hezekiah's piety, Manasseh is remembered for his idolatry and the evil he committed, which included rebuilding high places, erecting altars for Baal, and even sacrificing his own son. The Bible states, "Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites" (2 Kings 21:9). However, later in life, Manasseh repented and sought the LORD, which is detailed in 2 Chronicles 33:12-13. Amon Amon, the son of Manasseh and grandson of Hezekiah, followed his father as king. His reign was short-lived, lasting only two years, and he continued in the idolatrous practices of his father before his repentance. Amon's reign is described in 2 Kings 21:19-26 and 2 Chronicles 33:21-25. He was assassinated by his own officials, and his son Josiah succeeded him. Josiah Josiah, the great-grandson of Hezekiah, is one of the most revered kings of Judah. His reign is chronicled in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35. Josiah is celebrated for his religious reforms and his efforts to restore the covenant with the LORD. He is credited with repairing the temple and rediscovering the Book of the Law, which led to a national revival. The Bible records, "Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses" (2 Kings 23:25). Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah The descendants of Hezekiah continued to rule Judah until the Babylonian exile. Josiah's sons and grandsons, including Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, each took the throne in succession. Their reigns are marked by political turmoil and spiritual decline, ultimately leading to the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity, as detailed in 2 Kings 23-25 and 2 Chronicles 36. Messianic Lineage The genealogies in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke trace the lineage of Jesus Christ through the line of David, of which Hezekiah is a part. Matthew 1:10-11 includes Hezekiah in the genealogy of Jesus, affirming the continuation of the Davidic line through his descendants. This connection underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to David that his throne would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:16). Hezekiah's descendants, despite their varied faithfulness, play a crucial role in the biblical narrative, bridging the history of the kings of Judah with the coming of the Messiah. |