Topical Encyclopedia Introduction:Hezekiah's prayer is a significant event recorded in the Old Testament, highlighting the faith and reliance on God by King Hezekiah of Judah. This prayer is found in two main contexts: his plea for deliverance from the Assyrian threat and his personal supplication for healing from a terminal illness. These prayers are documented in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. Historical Context: Hezekiah reigned as the king of Judah from approximately 715 to 686 BC. He is noted for his religious reforms, including the removal of high places, the destruction of idols, and the restoration of temple worship. His reign was marked by a significant threat from the Assyrian Empire, which sought to conquer Jerusalem. Hezekiah's Prayer for Deliverance: The first notable instance of Hezekiah's prayer occurs during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, sent a message to Hezekiah, mocking his trust in God and demanding surrender. In response, Hezekiah went to the temple and spread the letter before the Lord, praying earnestly for deliverance. Biblical Account: 2 Kings 19:15-19 records Hezekiah's prayer: "And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: 'O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned above 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 responded to Hezekiah's prayer through the prophet Isaiah, assuring him that the Assyrian king would not enter Jerusalem. That night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to the withdrawal of Sennacherib's forces (2 Kings 19:35-36). Hezekiah's Prayer for Healing: The second significant prayer of Hezekiah is found when he became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah informed him to set his house in order, for he would not recover. In response, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord. Biblical Account: 2 Kings 20:2-3 describes this prayer: "Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, 'Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.' And Hezekiah wept bitterly." Divine Response: God heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears. Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him, instructing him to return to Hezekiah with a message of healing. God promised to add fifteen years to Hezekiah's life and deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat (2 Kings 20:4-6). Significance: Hezekiah's prayers are exemplary of sincere faith and reliance on God in times of crisis. His prayers demonstrate a deep trust in God's sovereignty and power over all earthly matters. The accounts of his prayers and God's responses serve as a testament to the efficacy of earnest prayer and the faithfulness of God to His people. Subtopics Hezekiah: King of Judah: Conducts the Gihon Brook Into Jerusalem Hezekiah: King of Judah: Death and Burial of Hezekiah: King of Judah: His Lack of Wisdom in Showing his Resources to Commissioners of Babylon Hezekiah: King of Judah: His Piety Hezekiah: King of Judah: His Psalm of Thanksgiving Hezekiah: King of Judah: Military Operations of Hezekiah: King of Judah: Prophecies Concerning Hezekiah: King of Judah: Prospered by God Hezekiah: King of Judah: Purges the Nation of Idolatry Hezekiah: King of Judah: Religious Zeal of Hezekiah: King of Judah: Restores the True Forms of Worship Hezekiah: King of Judah: Scribes of Hezekiah: King of Judah: Sickness and Restoration of Hezekiah: One of the Exiles: Called Hizkijah Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Hezekiah Related Terms |