Who was King Hezekiah in the Bible
Hezekiah was one of the most faithful and godly kings of Judah in the Bible. His story is found primarily in 2 Kings 18–20, 2 Chronicles 29–32, and Isaiah 36–39. Here’s a detailed overview of who he was, what he did, and why God extended his life.
📖 Who Was Hezekiah?
Title: King of Judah
Reign: Around 715–686 BC
Father: Ahaz (a wicked king)
Son: Manasseh (initially wicked but later repented)
Contemporary Prophet: Isaiah
Hezekiah ruled the southern kingdom of Judah during a very difficult time, especially as the northern kingdom of Israel was falling into Assyrian captivity.
🔥 What Did Hezekiah Do? (His Accomplishments)
Hezekiah is best known for his righteous reforms, trust in God, and leadership during the Assyrian invasion.
✅ 1. Spiritual Reforms
Destroyed idolatry: Broke down the high places, cut down groves, and smashed idols, including the brass serpent (Nehushtan) that Moses had made (2 Kings 18:4) because people were burning incense to it.
Reopened the temple and restored proper worship (2 Chronicles 29).
Reinstated the Passover celebration after many years of neglect (2 Chronicles 30).
📜 “And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did.” – 2 Kings 18:3 (KJV)
🛡️ 2. Trust in God Against Assyria
When Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invaded Judah and threatened Jerusalem, Hezekiah:
Sought the Lord in prayer
Consulted the prophet Isaiah
Trusted in God completely
God responded by sending an angel who killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night (2 Kings 19:35).
🙏 “O Lord God of Israel…thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.” – 2 Kings 19:15 (KJV)
💧 3. Engineering and Preparation
Built the famous Hezekiah’s Tunnel (2 Kings 20:20), an underground water system to protect Jerusalem’s water supply during siege.
⏳ Why Did God Extend Hezekiah’s Life?
This key event is found in 2 Kings 20:1–11, Isaiah 38:1–8, and 2 Chronicles 32:24.
📜 The Situation:
Hezekiah became very sick, near death.
The prophet Isaiah came to him and said:
“Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.” – 2 Kings 20:1
😭 Hezekiah’s Response:
Hezekiah wept bitterly and prayed to the Lord, reminding God of his faithfulness and wholehearted devotion.
“I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart…” – 2 Kings 20:3
🕊️ God’s Merciful Answer:
Before Isaiah had left the palace courtyard, God told him to go back and say:
“I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee… And I will add unto thy days fifteen years.” – 2 Kings 20:5–6 (KJV)
✨ A Miraculous Sign:
As a sign of this promise, God turned the sun’s shadow backward 10 degrees (2 Kings 20:9–11).
⚠️ Aftermath and Lessons
Though Hezekiah was a righteous king, he made some mistakes later:
Showed off his treasures to Babylonian envoys (2 Kings 20:12–19), which led to a prophecy of future Babylonian exile.
His son Manasseh, who was born during those added 15 years, initially became the most wicked king of Judah, though he later repented.
🧠 Lessons from Hezekiah’s Life
Faithfulness brings favor: Hezekiah’s devotion to God set him apart and brought national blessing.
Prayer changes outcomes: God heard Hezekiah’s sincere prayer and extended his life.
Even righteous people can make poor decisions: Stay humble and vigilant.
God is merciful: He sees our tears and hears heartfelt prayers.