2 Kings 20
-Hezekiah’s miraculous healing and his showing of the king’s
treasuries to the king of Babylon are detailed in this historical chapter
featuring the ministry of the prophet Isaiah. Hezekiah finds himself mortally
ill and receives word from the prophet Isaiah that he needs to set his house in
order in preparation for departing this physical world. Hezekiah again cries
out to the LORD, as he had done before in times of distress (2 Kings 19:14-19),
relating to God how he had walked before Him in truth and with a whole heart
doing good in His sight (2 Kings 20:1-3). The LORD relents and alerts Isaiah as
he is going out of the court area, and he returns with this word from the LORD,
“I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On
the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD. I will add fifteen
years to your life, and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the
king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake and for My servant
David’s sake (2 Kings 20:5-6).” A cake of figs was taken and laid on the boil
of the king and he recovered (2 Kings 20:7). Hezekiah asked for a sign that the
LORD would completely heal and a miracle of moving back the shadows was given
through the prophet Isaiah (2 Kings 20:8-11).
-At that time Berodach-baladan, a son of Baladan, king of
Babylon sent letters and a present to Hezekiah when he heard the king of Judah
was sick. There seemed to be a genuine camaraderie and trust between the two
leaders of nations, which lead Hezekiah to listen to him and show him all the
treasures in his house. Isaiah, knowing and sensing through the Holy Spirit,
approaches the king to inquire what all he showed the foreigners. Isaiah at
this point gives the prediction from the LORD, “Behold, the days are coming
when all that is in your house, and all that your fathers have laid up in store
to this day will be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left…Some of your sons
who shall issue from you, whom you will beget, will be taken away; and they
will become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon (2 Kings 20:12-18).”
This was eventually fulfilled. Hezekiah makes a statement at this point that
the word of the LORD was good and he was thankful that there would be peace and
truth in his days (2 Kings 20:19). The king of Judah went on to make the pool
and the conduit to bring water inside the walls of the city of Jerusalem to
protect a water source during invasions and he eventually passed on into
eternity leaving his son, Manasseh, as the next king of the nation (2 Kings
20:20-21).
-*Application* We see here very plainly that the LORD hears
our prayers and will respond to the righteous in order to extend life and give
a multitude of blessings. Hezekiah’s pleas were sincere and he had done his
part as a faithful servant of the King of kings. The LORD rewarded his honesty,
his whole heartedness, and his goodness. He will reward ours as well in times of
trouble and desperation. Also, we need to be careful what we divulge to others in
our alliances and friendships. Use discernment and consider what could happen in
the future when people know too much about your treasures.
Verses to Memorize: 2
Kings 20:5-6
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