Who was King Hezekiah in the Bible -

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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.

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