1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,
3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done [that which is] good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid [it] on the boil, and he recovered.
8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What [shall be] the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?
9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?
10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.
12 At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
13 And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and [all] the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
14 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, [even] from Babylon.
15 And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All [the things] that [are] in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.
16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.
17 Behold, the days come, that all that [is] in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good [is] the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, [Is it] not [good], if peace and truth be in my days?
20 And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
Overview of 2 Kings Chapter 20
2 Kings Chapter 20 narrates a significant event in the life of King Hezekiah of Judah, focusing on his illness, divine healing, and the subsequent political implications of his actions. The chapter illustrates themes of faith, divine intervention, and the consequences of human decisions.
Hezekiah’s Illness and Prayer
At the beginning of the chapter, Hezekiah falls gravely ill, and the prophet Isaiah is sent to deliver a message from God.
- Isaiah’s Prophecy: Isaiah informs Hezekiah that he should set his house in order because he will die from his illness.
- Hezekiah’s Response: Distressed, Hezekiah turns to prayer, weeping and pleading with God to remember his faithfulness and good deeds.
- Divine Response: God hears Hezekiah’s prayer and sends Isaiah back to inform him that he will be healed and granted an additional fifteen years of life.
Healing and Sign from God
Following the promise of healing, God provides a miraculous sign to confirm His word.
- Healing: Hezekiah is instructed to apply a poultice of figs to his boil, leading to his recovery.
- Sign of the Shadow: As a sign of God’s promise, the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz is made to go backward ten steps, demonstrating God’s power over time.
Hezekiah’s Pride and the Visit from Babylon
After his recovery, Hezekiah receives envoys from Babylon, which leads to a moment of pride and a significant prophetic warning.
- Babylonian Envoys: Hezekiah shows the envoys all his treasures and the wealth of his kingdom, showcasing his pride.
- Isaiah’s Prophecy of Judgment: Isaiah confronts Hezekiah, prophesying that the treasures will be carried off to Babylon, and some of his descendants will be taken as captives.
Theological Themes
This chapter presents several important theological themes that are relevant for understanding the nature of God and human behavior.
- Divine Mercy: Hezekiah’s earnest prayer leads to God’s mercy, illustrating the power of sincere supplication.
- Faithfulness and Righteousness: Hezekiah is remembered for his faithfulness, which plays a crucial role in his healing.
- Consequences of Pride: The chapter warns against pride and self-reliance, highlighting that even a righteous leader can falter.
- Prophetic Authority: The role of the prophet Isaiah emphasizes the importance of divine communication and the need for obedience to God’s will.
Conclusion
2 Kings Chapter 20 serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of faith, the importance of humility, and the consequences that arise from our actions. Hezekiah’s story illustrates both the mercy of God in response to genuine repentance and the dangers of pride that can lead to dire consequences.
