2 Kings 18:1-10 ▼

1 In the third year of the reign of Hoshea (salvation) son of Elah (An oak) over Israel (he wrestles with God), Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) son of Ahaz (he has grasped) became king of Judah (praised).

2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem (city of peace) twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abi (Abijah), the daughter of Zechariah (YHWH remembers).

3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD {YHWH}, just as his father David (beloved) had done.

4 He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles (goddess). He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan (snake) that Moses (drawn out) had made, for up to that time the Israelites (God prevails) had burned incense to it.

5 Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God). No king of Judah (praised) was like him, either before him or after him.

6 He remained faithful to the LORD {YHWH} and did not turn from following Him; he kept the commandments that the LORD had given Moses (drawn out).

7 And the LORD {YHWH} was with Hezekiah, and he prospered wherever he went. He rebelled against the king of Assyria (a step) and refused to serve him.

8 He defeated the Philistines (immigrants) as far as Gaza (the strong) and its borders, from watchtower to fortified city.

9 In the fourth year of Hezekiah’s (YHWH is my strength) reign, which was the seventh year of the reign of Hoshea (salvation) son of Elah (An oak) over Israel (he wrestles with God), Shalmaneser (fire-worshipper) king of Assyria (a step) marched against Samaria (watch mountain) and besieged it.

10 And at the end of three years, the Assyrians captured it. So Samaria (watch mountain) was captured in the sixth year of Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength), which was the ninth year of Hoshea (salvation) king of Israel (he wrestles with God).