2 Kings 20
2 Kings 20 covers King Hezekiah’s illness and healing, as well as the visit of Babylonian envoys. This chapter sheds light on Hezekiah’s final period and contains important material that shows both his faith and his human weakness.
1verseIn those days Hezekiah was sick and dying. Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “The LORD says, ‘Set your house in order; for you will die, and not live.’”
2verseThen he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying,
3verse“Remember now, LORD, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4verseBefore Isaiah had gone out into the middle part of the city, the LORD’s word came to him, saying,
5verse“Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people, ‘The LORD, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you will go up to the LORD’s house.
6verseI will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.”’”
7verseIsaiah said, “Take a cake of figs.” They took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
8verseHezekiah said to Isaiah, “What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I will go up to the LORD’s house the third day?”
9verseIsaiah said, “This will be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he has spoken: should the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?”
10verseHezekiah answered, “It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. No, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.”
11verseIsaiah the prophet cried to the LORD; and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz.
12verseAt that time Berodach Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
13verseHezekiah listened to them, and showed them all the storehouse of his precious things—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, and the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, or in all his dominion, that Hezekiah didn’t show them.
14verseThen Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? From where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come from a far country, even from Babylon.”
15verseHe said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.”
16verseIsaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the LORD’s word.
17verse‘Behold, the days come that all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have laid up in store to this day, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says the LORD.
18verse‘They will take away some of your sons who will issue from you, whom you will father; and they will be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’”
19verseThen Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The LORD’s word which you have spoken is good.” He said moreover, “Isn’t it so, if peace and truth will be in my days?”
20verseNow the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made the pool, and the conduit, and brought water into the city, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
21verseHezekiah slept with his fathers, and Manasseh his son reigned in his place.
Hezekiah’s Illness and Prayer (Verses 1-7)
King Hezekiah becomes ill with a disease that will cause him to die, but he earnestly prays to God, turning his face toward the wall. God, through the prophet Isaiah, tells him that he will add fifteen more years to his life, This scene demonstrates the sincerity of prayer and God’s mercy.
God’s Sign (Verses 8-11)
Hezekiah looks for a sign to be sure that he will recover. In response, God causes the shadow to move back ten steps on the stairway or sundial associated with Ahaz. This functions as a sign confirming the promise of healing.
The Visit of the Babylonian Envoys (Verses 12-19)
When the envoys from Babylon visit Hezekiah, Hezekiah shows them all the treasures in his palace and storehouses. Isaiah points out Hezekiah’s actions and announces God’s judgment that those treasures will eventually be carried away to Babylon. This scene warns of human pride and the consequences that follow it.
The Remaining Life and Death of Hezekiah (Verses 20-21)
The rest of Hezekiah’s deeds and accomplishments are recorded in other writings, and he hands the throne to his son Manasseh and dies. This shows the closing of one king’s life and the transition of generations.
Meditation Points
- How are you experiencing the sincerity of your prayers and God’s response?
- In your life, what do you boast about or rely on, and how does that meet with true faith?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- In the midst of difficulties, renew your commitment to keep the place of prayer and seek God’s will.
- Instead of wanting to reveal what I have, I decide to remember that everything comes from God and to live with humility.
