2 Kings 20:5
"Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: 'I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD.
“Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people

God identifies Hezekiah as the appointed shepherd of Judah, accountable to govern a people who belong ultimately to the Lord. In the shadow of Assyrian power, Hezekiah’s leadership carried covenantal responsibility like that entrusted to Moses, David, and other servants raised up to guide Israel.

2Ki 18:5-6 Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel.…
2Sa 5:2 Even in times past, while Saul was king over us,…
1Ch 11:2 Even in times past, while Saul was king…

that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says:

The Lord grounds His message in His covenant faithfulness to David’s house. Hezekiah’s throne stood because God had promised David an enduring dynasty, a promise brought to its fullness in Jesus Christ, the greater Son of David and eternal King.

Isa 38:5 Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the LORD,…
2Ch 21:12 Then a letter came to Jehoram from Elijah the prophet…
2Ki 19:34 I will defend this city and save it for My own sake…

‘I have heard your prayer;

Hezekiah had turned to God in helpless dependence when death seemed near. The Lord’s answer reveals that prayer is heard by the living God, who receives the cries of His servants and acts according to His mercy and purpose.

2Ch 32:24 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill.…
Psa 6:9 The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD…
Psa 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears;…

I have seen your tears.

Hezekiah’s grief was fully known to God. The Lord does not overlook the suffering of His people; He sees sorrow that others cannot remedy and responds with compassion.

2Ki 22:19 because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself…
Psa 56:8 You have taken account of my wanderings.…
Psa 39:12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help;…

I will surely heal you.

God alone holds authority over sickness, life, and death. Hezekiah’s recovery was a merciful act of divine power, anticipating the healing ministry of Christ, who bore human brokenness and demonstrated His authority over disease and death.

2Ch 30:20 And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people.
Exo 15:26 If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD…
Jer 30:17 But I will restore your health and heal your wounds,…

On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD.

Hezekiah’s healing would restore him not merely to physical strength but to public worship in the temple. The third day marks a decisive restoration, and Hezekiah’s return to the Lord’s house points to the greater victory of Christ’s resurrection on the third day, through which believers are restored to fellowship with God.

Isa 38:22 And Hezekiah had asked, “What will be the sign…”…
Hos 6:2 After two days He will revive us; on the third day…
Psa 116:18-19 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hezekiah
The king of Judah who is known for his faithfulness to God. He is the central figure in this passage, receiving a message of healing from God.

2. Isaiah
The prophet who delivers God's message to Hezekiah. He plays a crucial role as God's messenger.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The God of Israel, who responds to Hezekiah's prayer and promises healing.

4. The House of the LORD
Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, where Hezekiah is told he will go on the third day after his healing.

5. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, where these events take place.
Teaching Points
The Power of Prayer
Hezekiah's earnest prayer and tears moved God to action. This teaches us the importance of sincere prayer in our own lives.

God's Compassion
The passage highlights God's compassion and willingness to heal and restore. We can trust in God's loving nature and His desire to care for His people.

Faith in Action
Hezekiah's faith is demonstrated through his immediate prayer and reliance on God. We are encouraged to actively trust God in times of trouble.

Divine Timing
God's promise to heal Hezekiah on the third day reminds us that God's timing is perfect, even if it doesn't align with our own expectations.

The Role of Prophets
Isaiah's role as a messenger underscores the importance of listening to God's word through His appointed servants.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Hezekiah's response to his illness challenge or inspire your own approach to difficult situations?

2. In what ways can we see God's compassion in our lives today, similar to how He showed compassion to Hezekiah?

3. How does the concept of divine timing in Hezekiah's healing encourage you to trust God's timing in your own life?

4. What role does prayer play in your life, and how can Hezekiah's example motivate you to deepen your prayer life?

5. How can we discern and respond to God's messages in our lives, as Hezekiah did through the prophet Isaiah?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Chronicles 32:24-26
This passage provides additional context to Hezekiah's illness and his prayer, highlighting his humility and God's response.

Isaiah 38:1-8
A parallel account of Hezekiah's illness and recovery, offering more details about the sign given to Hezekiah.

James 5:15
This New Testament verse speaks to the power of prayer in healing, connecting to Hezekiah's experience of God's response to his prayer.
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
Behold, Captain, David, Ears, Hast, Heal, Healing, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Leader, Prayer, Prince, Return, Ruler, Says, Tear, Tears, Temple, Third, Thus, Turn, Weeping
Dictionary of Bible Themes
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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