Hezekiah, son of Ahaz and Abijah, was the 13th king of Judah, reigning from approximately 715 to 686 BC. His reign is documented in the biblical books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. Hezekiah is remembered as a pious and reformative king who sought to restore the worship of Yahweh and rid Judah of idolatry.

Early Reign and Religious Reforms

Hezekiah ascended to the throne at the age of 25, during a time when Judah was heavily influenced by Assyrian culture and idolatry, largely due to the policies of his father, Ahaz. One of Hezekiah's first acts as king was to reopen and purify the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated during his father's reign. Hezekiah's reforms are detailed in 2 Chronicles 29:3-36, where he is described as restoring the Levitical priesthood and reinstituting the Passover celebration, which had been neglected for many years.

Hezekiah's commitment to God is emphasized 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 that the LORD had given Moses."

Political and Military Challenges

During Hezekiah's reign, the Assyrian Empire was the dominant power in the region. Initially, Hezekiah paid tribute to Assyria, but he later rebelled against King Sennacherib, refusing to continue the payments. This rebellion led to a significant military confrontation, as recorded in 2 Kings 18:13-19:37 and Isaiah 36-37.

Sennacherib invaded Judah and laid siege to Jerusalem. In response, Hezekiah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and fervently prayed for divine intervention. The LORD answered Hezekiah's prayers, and an angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw (2 Kings 19:35-36).

Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery

Hezekiah's life was marked by a significant personal trial when he became gravely ill. The prophet Isaiah informed him that he would not recover, but Hezekiah prayed earnestly to the LORD. In response to his prayer, God granted him an additional 15 years of life, as recorded in 2 Kings 20:1-6. As a sign of this promise, the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz moved backward ten steps (2 Kings 20:9-11).

Legacy and Later Years

Hezekiah's reign was also notable for his efforts to centralize worship in Jerusalem and his attempts to reunite the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah. He extended an invitation to the remnant of the northern tribes to join in the Passover celebration in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 30:1-12).

Despite his many accomplishments, Hezekiah's later years were marred by a moment of pride when he displayed his wealth to envoys from Babylon. This act led to a prophecy from Isaiah that all his treasures would eventually be carried off to Babylon (2 Kings 20:12-19).

Hezekiah's reign is often viewed as a high point in the history of Judah, characterized by religious revival and divine deliverance. His account serves as a testament to the power of faith and prayer in the face of overwhelming odds.