Hezekiah, son of Ahaz and Abijah, was the 13th king of Judah, reigning from approximately 715 to 686 BC. His reign is documented in the biblical books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. Hezekiah is remembered as a pious and reformative king who sought to restore the worship of Yahweh and purify the religious practices of his people.

Early Reign and Religious Reforms

Hezekiah ascended to the throne at the age of 25, during a time when Judah was under the shadow of Assyrian dominance. His father, Ahaz, had led the nation into idolatry and formed alliances with foreign powers, compromising Judah's spiritual integrity. In stark contrast, Hezekiah's reign was marked by a return to the worship of the God of Israel. He is described as doing "what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done" (2 Kings 18:3).

One of Hezekiah's first acts as king was to cleanse and restore the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated during his father's reign. He reopened the doors of the Temple, repaired them, and called the Levites and priests to consecrate themselves and the Temple (2 Chronicles 29:3-5). Hezekiah reinstituted the Passover, inviting not only the people of Judah but also remnants of the northern kingdom of Israel to participate, thus fostering a sense of unity among the Israelites (2 Chronicles 30:1-5).

Hezekiah's reforms extended to the destruction of high places, sacred stones, and Asherah poles, which were associated with pagan worship. Notably, he broke into pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for the Israelites had begun to worship it as an idol (2 Kings 18:4).

Political and Military Challenges

Hezekiah's reign was also marked by significant political and military challenges. The Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, posed a constant threat to Judah. Initially, Hezekiah attempted to appease Assyria by paying tribute, stripping the Temple of its gold and silver (2 Kings 18:14-16). However, Sennacherib eventually laid siege to Jerusalem.

In response to the Assyrian threat, Hezekiah demonstrated his faith in God by seeking the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and praying earnestly for deliverance. The LORD answered Hezekiah's prayers, and an angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw (2 Kings 19:35-36).

Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery

Hezekiah's life was also marked by a personal crisis when he fell gravely ill. The prophet Isaiah informed him that he would not recover, but Hezekiah prayed fervently to the LORD, reminding Him of his faithfulness and devotion. God heard his prayer and granted him an additional fifteen years of life, as confirmed by the miraculous sign of the sun's shadow moving backward on the stairway of Ahaz (2 Kings 20:1-11).

Legacy and Later Years

Despite his many accomplishments, Hezekiah's later years were not without fault. He showed the envoys from Babylon all the treasures of his kingdom, a decision that Isaiah warned would lead to future consequences for Judah (2 Kings 20:12-19). Nevertheless, Hezekiah's reign is largely viewed as a period of religious revival and divine favor.

Hezekiah's legacy is one of faithfulness and reform, as he sought to lead his people back to the worship of the one true God. His account serves as a testament to the power of prayer and the importance of trusting in God's deliverance. Hezekiah was succeeded by his son Manasseh, whose reign would starkly contrast with his father's piety.2 Kings 16:20
And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
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2 Kings 18:1,2
Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
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1 Chronicles 3:13
Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,
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2 Chronicles 29:1
Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.
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Matthew 1:9
And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
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1478. Hezekias -- Hezekiah, a king of Judah
... Hezekiah, a king of Judah. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Hezekias
Phonetic Spelling: (ed-zek-ee'-as) Short Definition: Hezekiah Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1478.htm - 6k

881. Achaz -- Ahaz, a king of Judah
... Short Definition: Ahaz Definition: Ahaz, son of Jotham and father of Hezekiah. Word
Origin of Hebrew origin Achaz Definition Ahaz, a king of Judah NASB Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/881.htm - 6k

2396. Chizqiyyah -- "Yah has strengthened," a king of Judah, also ...
... iz-kee-yaw'-hoo}; from chazaq and Yahh; strengthened of Jah; Chizkijah, a king of
Judah, also the name of two other Israelites -- Hezekiah, Hizkiah, Hizkijah. ...
/hebrew/2396.htm - 6k

An Instance Showing How King Hezekiah was Overthrown by the Dart ...
... For so we read that Hezekiah, King of Judah, a man of most perfect righteousness
in all things, and one approved by the witness of Holy Scripture, after ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter x an instance showing.htm

Hezekiah, the Praying King
... And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah.".
His defense against the mighty enemies of God was prayer. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/vi hezekiah the praying king.htm

That Rome was Founded when the Assyrian Kingdom Perished, at which ...
... And at that time there was a king in Judah called Ahaz, or, as others compute, Hezekiah
his successor, the best and most pious king, who it is admitted reigned ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 22 that rome was founded.htm

The Ambassadors from Babylon
... had been wrought as a sign to the king of Judah that the God of heaven had granted
him a new lease of life, sent ambassadors to Hezekiah to congratulate him on ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 29 the ambassadors from.htm

Philadelphia
... to introduce and establish the Asherah worship, so the reference here, in the Epistle
to the assembly of Philadelphia, is to Hezekiah, king of Judah, who did ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/philadelphia.htm

Of the Times of the Prophets Whose Oracles are Contained in Books ...
... reign of his successor Numa Pompilius. Hezekiah king of Judah certainly
reigned till then. So that thus these fountains of prophecy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 27 of the times of.htm

Hezekiah
... Hezekiah and his associates instituted various reforms for the upbuilding of the
spiritual and temporal ... "Throughout all Judah" the king "wrought that which ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

Nineveh.
... a prince named Merodach Baladan had set himself up against Sennacherib, and sought
the friendship of Hezekiah. When the good King of Judah recovered from his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ix nineveh.htm

Deliverance from Assyria
... and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all
the multitude that is with him," Hezekiah exhorted the men of Judah; "for there ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 30 deliverance from assyria.htm

The Life of the Spirit
... These words are the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah; and they are true
words, words from God. But, if they are true words, they ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxxii the life of.htm

Who was King Manasseh in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How did Isaiah die? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Isaiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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