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2 Kings 20

World English Bible

WEB

1In those days Hezekiah was sick and dying. Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Yahweh says, ‘Set your house in order; for you will die, and not live.’” 2Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to Yahweh, saying, 3“Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4Before Isaiah had gone out into the middle part of the city, Yahweh’s word came to him, saying, 5“Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people, ‘Yahweh, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you will go up to Yahweh’s house. 6I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.”’” 7Isaiah said, “Take a cake of figs.” They took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. 8Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What will be the sign that Yahweh will heal me, and that I will go up to Yahweh’s house the third day?” 9Isaiah said, “This will be the sign to you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do the thing that he has spoken: should the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?” 10Hezekiah answered, “It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. No, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.” 11Isaiah the prophet cried to Yahweh; and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz. 12At that time Berodach Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13Hezekiah listened to them, and showed them all the storehouse of his precious things—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, and the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, or in all his dominion, that Hezekiah didn’t show them. 14Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? From where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come from a far country, even from Babylon.” 15He said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.” 16Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear Yahweh’s word. 17‘Behold, the days come that all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have laid up in store to this day, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says Yahweh. 18‘They will take away some of your sons who will issue from you, whom you will father; and they will be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’” 19Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “Yahweh’s word which you have spoken is good.” He said moreover, “Isn’t it so, if peace and truth will be in my days?” 20Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made the pool, and the conduit, and brought water into the city, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 21Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and Manasseh his son reigned in his place.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

2 Kings Chapter 20 recounts a pivotal moment in the life of King Hezekiah of Judah. The chapter begins with Hezekiah falling gravely ill, leading to a prophetic visit from the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah delivers a message from the Lord, informing Hezekiah that he will not recover from his illness and should set his house in order. However, in a moment of deep distress, Hezekiah turns to the Lord in prayer, reminding God of his faithfulness and good deeds. Moved by Hezekiah's heartfelt plea, God responds by sending Isaiah back to inform the king that He has heard his prayer and will grant him an additional fifteen years of life. This act of mercy demonstrates God's compassion and willingness to extend grace to those who earnestly seek Him.

The chapter continues with a miraculous sign given to Hezekiah: the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz is made to go backward ten steps, confirming God's promise of healing and extended life. Following his recovery, Hezekiah receives envoys from Babylon, to whom he proudly shows all his treasures and the riches of his kingdom. This act of pride leads to a prophetic warning from Isaiah, who foretells that the very treasures Hezekiah displayed will one day be carried off to Babylon, along with his descendants. This foreshadows the future exile of Judah and serves as a reminder of the consequences of pride and disobedience. The chapter concludes with a summary of Hezekiah's reign, noting his faithfulness to God and the peace that Judah experienced during his time as king.

Overall, 2 Kings 20 illustrates the themes of divine mercy, the power of prayer, and the importance of humility before God. It serves as a reminder that while God is gracious and responsive to our cries, we must remain vigilant against pride and the allure of worldly recognition. #Hezekiah #Isaiah #Prayer #DivineMercy #Babylon

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Referenced by

  1. 2 Chronicles 32:24v12 Chronicles 32:24 mentions Hezekiah's illness and recovery, which is detailed in 2 Kings 20:1-6, highlighting God's mercy and the power of prayer.
  2. 2 Chronicles 32:25v122 Chronicles 32:25 notes Hezekiah's pride after his recovery, which is expanded upon in 2 Kings 20:12-19, where he shows his treasures to Babylonian envoys, leading to a prophecy of future exile.
  3. Isaiah 22:8v20Isaiah 22:8 mentions the 'House of the Forest,' which is a reference to Solomon's armory, also described in 2 Kings 20:20, highlighting the reliance on human defenses rather than God.
  4. Isaiah 38:1v1Isaiah 38:1 and 2 Kings 20:1 both recount the story of King Hezekiah's illness and the prophecy of his impending death delivered by the prophet Isaiah.
  5. Isaiah 38:5v5Isaiah 38:5 and 2 Kings 20:5 both describe God's response to Hezekiah's prayer, granting him an additional fifteen years of life.
  6. Isaiah 38:7-8v8Isaiah 38:7-8 and 2 Kings 20:8-11 both recount the sign of the shadow going back ten steps as a confirmation of God's promise to Hezekiah.
  7. Isaiah 39:6v17Isaiah 39:6 and 2 Kings 20:17 both record the prophecy that the treasures of the king's house and all that has been stored up will be carried to Babylon, indicating the future Babylonian exile.
  8. Isaiah 39:8v19Isaiah 39:8 and 2 Kings 20:19 both capture Hezekiah's response to the prophecy of future judgment, showing his relief that there will be peace and security in his own days, highlighting a short-sighted perspective.

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