2 Kings - Chapter 20

2 Kings 20.1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Kings 20.2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, 2 Kings 20.3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 2 Kings 20.4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 2 Kings 20.5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. 2 Kings 20.6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. 2 Kings 20.7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. 2 Kings 20.8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day? 2 Kings 20.9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? 2 Kings 20.10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. 2 Kings 20.11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz. 2 Kings 20.12 At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 2 Kings 20.13 And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. 2 Kings 20.14 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon. 2 Kings 20.15 And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. 2 Kings 20.16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD. 2 Kings 20.17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. 2 Kings 20.18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. 2 Kings 20.19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days? 2 Kings 20.20 And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 2 Kings 20.21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

2 Kings : Chapter 20

Reflections on Chapter 20 of 2 Kings

Chapter 20 of 2 Kings marks the conclusion of the reign of Hezekiah, a king who combined faith and power. This text, rich in lessons, invites us to meditate on fundamental themes such as life, death, and divine intervention. Through Hezekiah's illness, his fervent prayer for healing, the sign of the setting sun, and the visit of the Babylonian ambassadors, we discover manifestations of God's mercy, but also the dangers of pride and the consequences of imprudent choices.

The Context of Hezekiah's Illness

Hezekiah, faced with a fatal illness, turns to God with sincere faith. His prayer, filled with devotion, testifies to his desire to put his spiritual house in order. In Isaiah 38:1-5, we read: "Set your house in order, for you shall surely die." This exhortation reminds us of the importance of living each day as a precious gift, preparing for eternity.

The Divine Response

God's response to Hezekiah's prayer is an act of grace and healing. "I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you," declares the Lord. This passage teaches us that God listens to our pleas and responds graciously when we turn to Him with a repentant heart.

Pride and Repentance

The chapter also highlights the dangers of pride. In 2 Chronicles 32:24-26, we see that after his healing, Hezekiah's heart became proud, provoking the Lord's anger. However, his repentance helped to appease this anger, reminding us of the power of repentance and humility before God.

The Consequences of Our Actions

The visit of the Babylonian ambassadors, mentioned in Isaiah 39:1-2, illustrates the consequences of our actions. In his joy, Hezekiah displayed his treasures, which led to subsequent events of great significance for the people of Judah. This teaches us that our choices, even if they seem trivial, can have profound repercussions on our future and that of others.

Hezekiah in Biblical History

Hezekiah is also mentioned in Jeremiah 26:18-19 as a king who feared God. His fear of the Lord and repentance are emphasized, contrasting with later leaders who failed in this responsibility. This underscores the importance of leadership based on faith and the fear of God.

Conclusion

Finally, in the New Testament, Hezekiah is included in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:9-10, affirming his crucial role in messianic history. Through this lineage, we understand that every life, every prayer, and every act of faith has an impact on the divine plan.

May these reflections on 2 Kings chapter 20 encourage us to live with faith, remain humble, and seek God's mercy in every aspect of our lives.