And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: And HezekiahThe name "Hezekiah" means "Yahweh strengthens" or "God has strengthened." Hezekiah was the king of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to restore proper worship in the temple. Historically, Hezekiah reigned during a tumultuous period when the Assyrian empire was expanding. His leadership is marked by a return to the worship of Yahweh, contrasting with the idolatry of his predecessors. This context highlights the significance of his actions and prayers, as he sought divine intervention in a time of national crisis. prayed
The Hebrew root for "prayed" is "פָּלַל" (palal), which means to intercede, mediate, or make supplication. Prayer, in this context, is an act of deep humility and dependence on God. Hezekiah's prayer is a model of sincere faith, demonstrating his reliance on God rather than military might or political alliances. This act of prayer signifies a turning point, where human efforts are set aside in favor of divine intervention. to the LORD
The term "LORD" in the Hebrew text is "יהוה" (YHWH), the sacred and personal name of God, often rendered as "Yahweh." This name signifies God's eternal presence and covenantal faithfulness. By addressing his prayer to Yahweh, Hezekiah acknowledges the sovereignty and power of the God of Israel. It is a recognition of God's unique ability to save and deliver His people, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and Judah. This invocation of the divine name underscores the trust and reverence Hezekiah holds for God, setting the stage for the miraculous deliverance that follows. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe King of Judah during a time of great crisis. He is known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to reform the religious practices of Judah. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, to whom Hezekiah directs his prayer. Yahweh is the central figure in the deliverance of Judah from its enemies. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, under siege by the Assyrian army led by King Sennacherib. It is the focal point of Hezekiah's prayer for deliverance. 4. Assyrian ThreatThe Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, poses a significant threat to Judah, having already conquered many surrounding nations. 5. Isaiah the ProphetA major prophet in Judah who provides counsel and assurance to Hezekiah during the Assyrian crisis. Teaching Points The Power of PrayerHezekiah's immediate response to crisis is to pray, demonstrating the importance of turning to God in times of trouble. Faith in God's SovereigntyHezekiah's prayer reflects his belief in God's ultimate control over nations and events, encouraging believers to trust in God's sovereignty. Seeking Godly CounselHezekiah's relationship with Isaiah shows the value of seeking guidance from godly leaders and prophets. God's FaithfulnessThe account underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant people, reminding believers of His promises and protection. Courage in LeadershipHezekiah's actions provide a model of courageous leadership rooted in faith, inspiring leaders to rely on God in challenging times. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat challenge or inspire your own approach to crises in your life? 2. In what ways can you incorporate prayer more intentionally into your daily routine, especially when facing difficult situations? 3. How does Hezekiah's reliance on God's sovereignty influence your understanding of God's control over world events today? 4. What role does seeking godly counsel play in your decision-making process, and how can you cultivate relationships with wise, spiritual mentors? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How can this memory encourage you to trust Him in current or future challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 19This chapter parallels Isaiah 37 and provides additional context to Hezekiah's prayer and the Assyrian threat. Philippians 4:6-7Encourages believers to present their requests to God through prayer, similar to Hezekiah's approach in seeking divine intervention. James 5:16Highlights the power of a righteous person's prayer, which is exemplified by Hezekiah's earnest prayer to God. Psalm 46A psalm of trust in God's protection, reflecting the faith Hezekiah demonstrates in his prayer. People Adrammelech, Amoz, Assyrians, David, Eliakim, Esarhaddon, Haran, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Rabshakeh, Sennacherib, Sharezer, Shebna, TirhakahPlaces Ararat, Arpad, Assyria, Cush, Egypt, Gozan, Hamath, Haran, Hena, Ivvah, Jerusalem, Lachish, Lebanon, Libnah, Mount Zion, Nineveh, Rezeph, Sepharvaim, Telassar, Tigris-Euphrates Region, ZionTopics Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Prayed, Prayer, Prayeth, SayingDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 37:14-17 5893 insults Isaiah 37:14-20 5292 defence, divine
8031 trust, importance
8611 prayer, for others Library Where to Carry Troubles
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.'--ISAIAH xxxvii. 14. When Hezekiah heard the threatenings of Sennacherib's servants, he rent his clothes and went into the house of the Lord, and sent to Isaiah entreating his prayers. When he received the menacing letter, his faith was greater, having been heartened by Isaiah's assurances. So he then himself appealed to Jehovah, spreading …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Triumph of Faith
'And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15. And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying, 16. O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, Thou art the God, even Thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: Thou hast made heaven and earth. 17. Incline Thine ear, O Lord, and hear; open Thine eyes, O Lord, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The First Trumpet.
The first trumpet of the seventh seal begins from the final disturbance and overthrow of the Roman idolarchy at the close of the sixth seal; and as it was to bring the first plague on the empire, now beginning to fall, it lays waste the third part of the earth, with a horrible storm of hail mingled with fire and blood; that is, it depopulates the territory and people of the Roman world, (viz. the basis and ground of its universal polity) with a terrible and bloody irruption of the northern nations, …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 The Golden Eagle is Cut to Pieces. Herod's Barbarity when He was Ready to Die. He Attempts to Kill Himself. He Commands Antipater to be Slain.
1. Now Herod's distemper became more and more severe to him, and this because these his disorders fell upon him in his old age, and when he was in a melancholy condition; for he was already seventy years of age, and had been brought by the calamities that happened to him about his children, whereby he had no pleasure in life, even when he was in health; the grief also that Antipater was still alive aggravated his disease, whom he resolved to put to death now not at random, but as soon as he should …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem Christ Rightly and Properly Said to have Merited Grace and Salvation for Us.
1. Christ not only the minister, but also the author and prince of salvation. Divine grace not obscured by this mode of expression. The merit of Christ not opposed to the mercy of God, but depends upon it. 2. The compatibility of the two proved by various passages of Scripture. 3. Christ by his obedience truly merited divine grace for us. 4. This grace obtained by the shedding of Christ's blood, and his obedience even unto death. 5. In this way he paid our ransom. 6. The presumptuous manner in which …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Harbinger
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. T he general style of the prophecies is poetical. The inimitable simplicity which characterizes every …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Concerning the Lord's Supper
There are two passages which treat in the clearest manner of this subject, and at which we shall look,--the statements in the Gospels respecting the Lord's Supper, and the words of Paul. (1 Cor. xi.) Matthew, Mark, and Luke agree that Christ gave the whole sacrament to all His disciples; and that Paul taught both parts of it is so certain, that no one has yet been shameless enough to assert the contrary. Add to this, that according to the relation of Matthew, Christ did not say concerning the bread, …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 37:15 NIVIsaiah 37:15 NLTIsaiah 37:15 ESVIsaiah 37:15 NASBIsaiah 37:15 KJV
Isaiah 37:15 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
