Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, was the 13th king of Judah and reigned from approximately 715 to 686 BC. His reign is noted for its religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel, in a time when idolatry was rampant. Hezekiah's account is primarily found in 2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chronicles 29-32, and Isaiah 36-39.

Background and Ascension to the Throne

Hezekiah ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of 25, following the reign of his father, Ahaz, who had led the nation into idolatry and made alliances with foreign powers, notably Assyria. Unlike his father, Hezekiah was committed to following the ways of the Lord, as described in 2 Kings 18:3: "He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done."

Religious Reforms

One of Hezekiah's first acts as king was to initiate a series of religious reforms aimed at purifying the worship practices of Judah. He reopened the doors of the Temple of the LORD, 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, and to remove all defilement from the sanctuary (2 Chronicles 29:5).

Hezekiah also destroyed the high places, shattered the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles. Notably, he broke into pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for the Israelites had begun to worship it as an idol, calling it Nehushtan (2 Kings 18:4).

Passover Celebration

In a significant move to unify the people and restore proper worship, Hezekiah invited all of Israel and Judah to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem, an event that had not been observed on such a scale since the days of Solomon (2 Chronicles 30:26). This celebration was marked by a spirit of repentance and joy, as the people turned back to the LORD.

Military and Political Actions

Hezekiah's reign was also marked by significant political and military challenges. He rebelled against Assyrian dominance, refusing to pay tribute to King Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:7). This act of defiance led to an Assyrian invasion, during which Sennacherib laid siege to Jerusalem. Hezekiah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and fervently prayed for deliverance. The LORD answered by sending an angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw (2 Kings 19:35-36).

Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery

In the latter part of his reign, Hezekiah fell gravely ill. The prophet Isaiah informed him that he would not recover, but Hezekiah prayed earnestly to the LORD. In response, God granted him an additional 15 years of life and provided a miraculous sign by making the shadow on the sundial go backward (2 Kings 20:1-11).

Legacy

Hezekiah's reign is remembered as a time of spiritual renewal and divine favor. His commitment to the LORD and his efforts to restore true worship set a standard for future generations. The Berean Standard Bible captures the essence of his reign in 2 Kings 18:5-6: "Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow Him; he kept the commandments the LORD had given Moses."

Hezekiah's righteous reign serves as a testament to the power of faith and obedience in the face of adversity, and his account continues to inspire those who seek to honor God in their own lives.