Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, was the 13th king of Judah and reigned from approximately 715 to 686 BC. He is recognized as one of the most faithful and reformative kings in the history of Judah, known for his zealous commitment to the worship of Yahweh and his efforts to purify the religious practices of his kingdom. His account is primarily documented in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah.

Reign and Religious Reforms

Hezekiah ascended to the throne during a time of spiritual decline and idolatry in Judah. His father, Ahaz, had led the nation into practices that were detestable to the Lord, including the worship of Baal and the erection of high places. In stark contrast, Hezekiah's reign was marked by a return to the worship of the God of Israel. He is noted for his religious reforms, which included the removal of high places, breaking the sacred pillars, cutting down the Asherah poles, and destroying the bronze serpent that Moses had made, which had become an object of idolatry (2 Kings 18:4).

Hezekiah's reforms were comprehensive and aimed at restoring the proper worship of Yahweh. He reopened the doors of the Temple, which had been closed by Ahaz, and repaired them. He also reinstated the Levitical priesthood and the observance of the Passover, inviting all Israel and Judah to participate in this significant feast (2 Chronicles 30:1-5). His efforts were met with varying degrees of acceptance, but they demonstrated his commitment to the covenantal relationship between God and His people.

Faith and Deliverance

Hezekiah's faith was tested during the Assyrian invasion led by King Sennacherib. The Assyrian king besieged Jerusalem, mocking Hezekiah's trust in the Lord and attempting to demoralize the people of Judah. In response, Hezekiah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and turned to God in prayer. The Lord answered Hezekiah's prayers, and the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to Sennacherib's withdrawal (2 Kings 19:35-36). This miraculous deliverance is a testament to Hezekiah's reliance on God and serves as a powerful example of divine intervention in response to faith and prayer.

Illness and Recovery

Hezekiah's life was further marked by a personal trial when he became gravely ill. The prophet Isaiah informed him that he would not recover, but Hezekiah prayed earnestly to the Lord, reminding God of his faithfulness and wholehearted devotion. In response, God granted him an additional fifteen years of life and provided a sign of His promise by causing the shadow on the sundial to move backward (2 Kings 20:1-11).

Legacy and Evaluation

Hezekiah's reign is evaluated positively in the biblical narrative. He is described as a king who "trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him" (2 Kings 18:5). His dedication to God and his efforts to lead his people back to the true worship of Yahweh set a standard for future generations.

Despite his successes, Hezekiah's later years were not without fault. He showed the treasures of his kingdom to envoys from Babylon, an act that Isaiah prophesied would lead to future consequences for Judah (2 Kings 20:12-19). Nevertheless, Hezekiah's overall legacy is one of faithfulness and reform, and he is remembered as a king who earnestly sought to honor God and lead his people in righteousness.2 Kings 18:3-7
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 19:14-19
And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

The Bible in the Life of To-Day
... have eternal connections, and the great outstanding facts which ... must fly to the defense
of religion against the ... with great profit in teaching religious truth. ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture vi the bible in.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... past history, their rituals of theology and religious worship, their ... had had its
effect on their religion as well ... in existence in the time of Hezekiah, at the ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Is religion opium for the masses? | GotQuestions.org

Is religion the cause of most wars? | GotQuestions.org

Why should I believe in organized religion? | GotQuestions.org

Religion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus