Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz and the 13th king of Judah, is a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, known for his religious reforms and his reliance on God during times of crisis. His admission, often referred to in the context of his illness and subsequent recovery, is a significant event that highlights his humility and faith.

Context and Background

Hezekiah reigned during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, approximately from 715 to 686 BC. His reign is noted for the removal of idolatrous practices and the restoration of worship centered on Yahweh. Hezekiah's efforts to purify the temple and reinstate the Passover are well-documented in 2 Chronicles 29-31.

Hezekiah's Illness and Prayer

The account of Hezekiah's illness is found in 2 Kings 20:1-11, Isaiah 38:1-8, and 2 Chronicles 32:24-26. Hezekiah became gravely ill, and the prophet Isaiah delivered a message from the Lord, instructing him to set his house in order, for he would not recover. In response, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed earnestly to the Lord, reminding God of his faithfulness and wholehearted devotion.

The Berean Standard Bible records Hezekiah's prayer in 2 Kings 20:3: "Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight." Hezekiah wept bitterly, demonstrating his deep distress and reliance on God.

God's Response and Hezekiah's Admission

God heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears. In response, He sent Isaiah back to the king with a message of hope and healing. The Lord promised to add fifteen years to Hezekiah's life and deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat. As a sign of this promise, the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz moved backward ten steps (2 Kings 20:8-11).

Hezekiah's admission of his need for God's intervention is further elaborated in Isaiah 38:9-20, where he composed a writing after his recovery. In this passage, Hezekiah reflects on his experience, acknowledging the Lord's mercy and expressing gratitude for his deliverance. Hezekiah's words in Isaiah 38:17 capture his realization: "Surely for my own welfare I had such great anguish; but Your love has delivered me from the pit of oblivion, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back."

Hezekiah's Humility and Repentance

Despite his initial pride, which led to a display of his wealth to Babylonian envoys (2 Kings 20:12-19), Hezekiah's admission of his dependence on God is evident in his response to Isaiah's rebuke. Hezekiah humbled himself, as noted in 2 Chronicles 32:26 : "Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah."

Significance in Biblical Theology

Hezekiah's admission and subsequent healing underscore the themes of repentance, divine mercy, and the power of prayer. His life serves as a testament to the importance of humility before God and the assurance that the Lord hears and responds to the cries of His faithful servants. Through Hezekiah's experience, believers are reminded of the necessity of turning to God in times of trouble and the transformative power of sincere repentance and faith.