◄ 2 Kings 20:6 ►
I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My sake and for the sake of My servant David.'"
Study Bible
And I will add fifteen years to your life
This phrase is a direct promise from God to King Hezekiah, delivered through the prophet Isaiah. The Hebrew word for "add" is "yasaph," which means to increase or augment. This indicates God's sovereign ability to extend life, emphasizing His control over time and human existence. The "fifteen years" is a specific period, showing God's precise plan and foreknowledge. In the context of Hezekiah's reign, this extension was significant, allowing him to continue his reforms and leadership in Judah. The phrase "to your life" underscores the personal nature of God's intervention, highlighting His intimate involvement in the lives of His faithful servants.

And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria
The promise of deliverance is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with God's protection and salvation. The Hebrew word for "deliver" is "natsal," which conveys the idea of snatching away or rescuing. This reflects God's power to save His people from seemingly insurmountable threats. The "city" refers to Jerusalem, the heart of Judah, which was under threat from the Assyrian empire, a dominant military power of the time. The "king of Assyria" represents the oppressive forces against God's people, and this deliverance is a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant with Israel.

I will defend this city for My sake and for the sake of My servant David
The word "defend" in Hebrew is "ganan," meaning to cover or protect. This illustrates God's role as a divine protector, shielding Jerusalem from its enemies. The phrase "for My sake" indicates that God's actions are ultimately for His glory and the fulfillment of His divine purposes. It also reflects His commitment to His promises, as His reputation is intertwined with the fate of His people. "For the sake of My servant David" highlights the Davidic covenant, where God promised to maintain David's lineage and kingdom. This assurance to Hezekiah is rooted in God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, demonstrating His enduring commitment to His chosen leaders and their descendants.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hezekiah
The king of Judah who is the central figure in this passage. Hezekiah was known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to rid Judah of idolatry.

2. Isaiah
The prophet who delivered God's message to Hezekiah. Isaiah played a crucial role in advising and guiding the king according to God's will.

3. Jerusalem
The city that God promises to defend. It is the capital of Judah and holds significant religious and political importance.

4. The King of Assyria
Represents the external threat to Judah and Jerusalem. The Assyrian empire was a dominant power during this period.

5. David
The former king of Israel, whose legacy and covenant with God are invoked as reasons for God's protection over Jerusalem.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Faithfulness
God is in control of history and fulfills His promises, as seen in His defense of Jerusalem for the sake of His covenant with David.

The Power of Prayer
Hezekiah's life extension is a direct result of his earnest prayer, demonstrating the importance of seeking God in times of need.

Legacy and Covenant
The reference to David underscores the impact of a godly legacy and the importance of living in a way that honors God's promises.

Divine Protection
God's promise to defend Jerusalem illustrates His protective nature over His people, encouraging believers to trust in His protection.

Life's Extension and Purpose
The additional fifteen years granted to Hezekiah serve as a reminder to use our time wisely and for God's glory.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Hezekiah's response to his illness challenge us to approach our own crises in life?

2. In what ways does God's promise to defend Jerusalem for David's sake encourage us to consider the impact of our spiritual legacy?

3. How can we apply the principle of God's faithfulness to His promises in our daily walk with Him?

4. What does Hezekiah's experience teach us about the power and importance of prayer in our lives?

5. How can we ensure that the additional time God grants us is used effectively for His purposes and glory?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 19
Provides context for the Assyrian threat and God's promise of deliverance, showing the continuity of God's protection over Jerusalem.

Isaiah 38
Offers a parallel account of Hezekiah's illness and recovery, emphasizing the role of prayer and divine intervention.

Psalm 89
Reflects on God's covenant with David, highlighting the enduring promise that influences God's actions in 2 Kings 20:6.

2 Samuel 7
Details God's covenant with David, which is foundational to understanding why God defends Jerusalem for David's sake.
Sermons
Hezekiah's SicknessC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 20:1-11
Hezekiah's SicknessJ. Orr 2 Kings 20:1-11
A House and a Soul ComparedJ. R. Starey.2 Kings 20:1-19
Attachment to LifeCharles Lamb.2 Kings 20:1-19
Hezekiah's Prayer AnsweredMonday Club Sermons2 Kings 20:1-19
Set Thy House in Order -- a New Year's SermonE. D. Griffin, D. D.2 Kings 20:1-19
The Blessing of SicknessDavid Thomas, D. D.2 Kings 20:1-19
The House in OrderThomas Spurgeon.2 Kings 20:1-19
DeathD. Thomas 2 Kings 20:1-21
People
Ahaz, Amoz, Baladan, Berodachbaladan, David, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Manasseh
Places
Ararat, Assyria, Babylon
Topics
Add, Added, Asshur, Assyria, Covered, David, David's, Defend, Deliver, Fifteen, Hands, Honour, Safe, Sake, Servant, Town
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 20:6

     5292   defence, divine

2 Kings 20:1-6

     8614   prayer, answers

2 Kings 20:1-7

     4440   fig-tree
     5298   doctors

2 Kings 20:1-11

     5333   healing
     8610   prayer, asking God

2 Kings 20:4-6

     1429   prophecy, OT fulfilment

Library
An Old-Fashioned Home
TEXT: "What have they seen in thy house?"--2 Kings 20:15. If you will tell me what is in your own house by your own choice I will tell you the story of your home life and will be able to inform you whether yours is a home in which there is harmony and peace or confusion and despair. Let me read the names of the guests in your guest book, allow me to study the titles of the books in your library in which you have special delight, permit me to scan your magazines which you particularly like, allow …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

God's Sovereignty Defined
"Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as Head above all" (1 Chron. 29:11). The Sovereignty of God is an expression that once was generally understood. It was a phrase commonly used in religious literature. It was a theme frequently expounded in the pulpit. It was a truth which brought comfort to many hearts, and gave virility and stability …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

That for the Most Part the Occupation of Government Dissipates the Solidity of the Mind.
Often the care of government, when undertaken, distracts the heart in divers directions; and one is found unequal to dealing with particular things, while with confused mind divided among many. Whence a certain wise man providently dissuades, saying, My son, meddle not with many matters (Ecclus. xi. 10); because, that is, the mind is by no means collected on the plan of any single work while parted among divers. And, when it is drawn abroad by unwonted care, it is emptied of the solidity of inward …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. Each and all of Its Parts Governed by his Providence.
1. Even the wicked, under the guidance of carnal sense, acknowledge that God is the Creator. The godly acknowledge not this only, but that he is a most wise and powerful governor and preserver of all created objects. In so doing, they lean on the Word of God, some passages from which are produced. 2. Refutation of the Epicureans, who oppose fortune and fortuitous causes to Divine Providence, as taught in Scripture. The sun, a bright manifestation of Divine Providence. 3. Figment of the Sophists as …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Interpretation of Prophecy.
1. The scriptural idea of prophecy is widely removed from that of human foresight and presentiment. It is that of a revelation made by the Holy Spirit respecting the future, always in the interest of God's kingdom. It is no part of the plan of prophecy to gratify vain curiosity respecting "the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1:7. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God"--this is its key-note. In its form it is carefully adapted to this great end. …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Kingdom of Judah.
II K. 18-25; II Chron. 28-36. Note: This period covers the time from the fail of Israel to the fall of Judah. It begins in the sixth year of the reign of Hezekiah, whose name is given as the first king of the period since most of his reign was in this instead of the former period. The Kings of this Period. 13. Hezekiah, 2 K. 18:1-20-21; 2 Chron. 29:1-32:33. Reigned 29 years and died. 14. Manasseh, 2 K. 21:1-18; 2 Chron. 33:1-20. Reigned 55 year and died. 15. Amon, 2 K. 21:19-26; 2 Chron. 33:20-25. …
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

The Christian Struggling under Great and Heavy Affliction.
1. Here it is advised--that afflictions should only be expected.--2. That the righteous hand of God should be acknowledged in them when they come.--3. That they should be borne with patience.--4. That the divine conduct in them should be cordially approved.--5. That thankfulness should be maintained in the midst of trials.--6. That the design of afflictions should be diligently inquired into, and all proper assistance taken in discovering it.--7. That, when it is discovered, it should humbly be complied …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Of the Sacraments.
1. Of the sacraments in general. A sacrament defined. 2. Meaning of the word sacrament. 3. Definition explained. Why God seals his promises to us by sacraments. 4. The word which ought to accompany the element, that the sacrament may be complete. 5. Error of those who attempt to separate the word, or promise of God, from the element. 6. Why sacraments are called Signs of the Covenant. 7. They are such signs, though the wicked should receive them, but are signs of grace only to believers. 8. Objections …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
Sections. 1. Summary of the doctrine of Divine Providence. 1. It embraces the future and the past. 2. It works by means, without means, and against means. 3. Mankind, and particularly the Church, the object of special care. 4. The mode of administration usually secret, but always just. This last point more fully considered. 2. The profane denial that the world is governed by the secret counsel of God, refuted by passages of Scripture. Salutary counsel. 3. This doctrine, as to the secret counsel of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath-Day.
Almighty God will have himself worshipped, not only in a private manner by private persons and families, but also in a more public sort, of all the godly joined together in a visible church; that by this means he may be known not only to be the God and Lord of every Singular person, but also of the creatures of the whole universal world. Question--But why do not we Christians under the New, keep the Sabbath on the same seventh day on which it was kept under the Old Testament? I answer--Because our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

A Prayer when one Begins to be Sick.
O most righteous Judge, yet in Jesus Christ my gracious Father! I, wretched sinner, do here return unto thee, though driven with pain and sickness, like the prodigal child with want and hunger. I acknowledge that this sickness and pain comes not by blind chance or fortune, but by thy divine providence and special appointment. It is the stroke of thy heavy hand, which my sins have justly deserved; and the things that I feared are now fallen upon me (Job iii. 25.) Yet do I well perceive that in wrath …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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