© Illustration by Michael Woodruff
Bible Personalities: Hezekiah
Hezekiah, reigning from age 25, stood out as one of Judah’s best kings. He trusted the Lord and did what was right in His sight. The king smashed pagan images, brought in national reform, temple worship and spiritual rebirth. Judah again kept the Passover, and even kept an extra 7 days joyously.
Assyria had already taken the Northern 10 tribes captive. Now came Assyrian King Sennacherib’s armies demanding Judah’s surrender. They threatened crushing defeat as they had done to all the surrounding nations. After agreeing to a large financial tribute, Sennacherib broke his agreement. He surrounded Jerusalem.
Things appeared hopeless. Hezekiah looked to God in faithful and humble prayer. God promised deliverance. One night, the angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians. Sennacherib left in humiliating defeat.
Shortly after Hezekiah grew deathly ill. He pleaded with God asking Him to remember how he had walked before Him in truth. God answered by healing Hezekiah and granting 15 more years. As a sign, God miraculously caused the sun’s shadow to reverse 10 degrees.
Later Hezekiah unwisely showed Babylonian envoys his wealth. Hezekiah again humbled himself. For Hezekiah’s sake God delayed Judah’s punishment another century before captivity came from Babylon. “...so that after [Hezekiah] was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any who were before him.” (2 Kings 18:5)
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