Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, reigned as the king of Judah from approximately 715 to 686 BC. His reign is notably marked by his humility and faith in the LORD, which distinguished him from many of his predecessors and contemporaries. Hezekiah's account is primarily found in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah.

Humility Before God

Hezekiah's humility is first evident in his response to the spiritual and moral decay he inherited from his father, Ahaz. Upon ascending to the throne, Hezekiah initiated significant religious reforms to restore proper worship in Judah. He reopened the doors of the temple, which had been closed by Ahaz, and repaired them (2 Chronicles 29:3). Hezekiah gathered the priests and Levites, urging them to consecrate themselves and the temple, acknowledging the unfaithfulness of their fathers and the resulting wrath of God (2 Chronicles 29:6-10).

His humility is further demonstrated during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. When King Sennacherib of Assyria threatened Jerusalem, Hezekiah sought the LORD's guidance through the prophet Isaiah. Hezekiah's prayer in 2 Kings 19:15-19 reveals his deep dependence on God: "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" (2 Kings 19:15). Hezekiah's prayer reflects his recognition of God's sovereignty and his own need for divine intervention.

Faith in God's Deliverance

Hezekiah's faith is most prominently displayed in his trust in God's power to deliver Judah from the Assyrian threat. Despite the overwhelming military might of the Assyrians, Hezekiah believed in the LORD's promise of deliverance. Isaiah conveyed God's message to Hezekiah, assuring him that the Assyrian king would not enter the city or shoot an arrow there (2 Kings 19:32-34). Hezekiah's faith was rewarded when the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to Sennacherib's withdrawal (2 Kings 19:35-36).

Another significant instance of Hezekiah's faith is seen in his illness. When the prophet Isaiah informed him of his impending death, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly (2 Kings 20:1-3). God heard his prayer and granted him an additional fifteen years of life, confirming this promise with the miraculous sign of the sun's shadow moving backward (2 Kings 20:5-11).

Legacy of Faith

Hezekiah's reign is characterized by his commitment to the LORD, as noted in 2 Kings 18:5: "Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him" . His faith and humility set a standard for leadership and devotion to God, influencing the spiritual direction of Judah and leaving a lasting legacy of righteousness.