Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz and the 13th king of Judah, is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to restore proper worship in the kingdom. His reign is marked by significant religious reforms and a notable episode of divine intervention in response to his earnest prayer during a time of great distress.

Context and Background

Hezekiah's reign is chronicled in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. He ascended to the throne of Judah around 715 BC and reigned for 29 years. Hezekiah is celebrated for his commitment to the worship of Yahweh, dismantling idolatrous practices, and restoring the temple in Jerusalem. His reign is characterized by a return to the covenantal faithfulness that his predecessors had neglected.

The Assyrian Threat

The most significant external threat during Hezekiah's reign came from the Assyrian Empire, under the rule of King Sennacherib. The Assyrians were known for their military prowess and had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. In 701 BC, Sennacherib launched a campaign against Judah, capturing fortified cities and threatening Jerusalem itself.

Hezekiah's Distress

Faced with the overwhelming might of the Assyrian army, Hezekiah experienced profound distress. The Assyrian field commander, the Rabshakeh, delivered a message of intimidation, mocking Hezekiah's trust in God and urging the people of Jerusalem to surrender. The psychological warfare aimed to undermine the morale of the Judeans and shake their confidence in divine deliverance.

Hezekiah's Prayer

In response to the dire situation, Hezekiah turned to God in prayer, demonstrating his deep reliance on divine intervention. Hezekiah's prayer is recorded in 2 Kings 19:14-19 and Isaiah 37:14-20. Upon receiving a threatening letter from Sennacherib, Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before Him. Hezekiah's prayer is a model of humility and faith, acknowledging God's sovereignty and pleading for deliverance for the sake of His own name and glory.

2 Kings 19:15-19 records part of Hezekiah's prayer: "And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: 'O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God. Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste these nations and their lands. They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands. And now, O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.'"

Divine Response

God's response to Hezekiah's prayer was swift and decisive. Through the prophet Isaiah, God assured Hezekiah that the Assyrian king would not enter Jerusalem. Isaiah 37:33-35 states: "Therefore this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: 'He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here or come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. By the way that he came, he will return; he will not enter this city,' declares the LORD. 'I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.'"

That very night, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp, leading to Sennacherib's retreat and the deliverance of Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35-36).

Significance

Hezekiah's distress and subsequent prayer highlight the power of sincere, faith-filled supplication to God. His reliance on divine intervention rather than human alliances or military strength serves as a testament to the faithfulness of God in delivering His people. This episode underscores the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and the efficacy of prayer in times of crisis.