Topical Bible: Prayer: Hezekiah

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Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, was the 13th king of Judah, reigning in the late 8th and early 7th centuries BC. His reign is noted for significant religious reforms and a return to the worship of Yahweh, as well as for his fervent prayer life, which is prominently featured in the biblical narrative. Hezekiah's prayers are recorded in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah, and they provide profound insights into the power and efficacy of prayer in the life of a faithful leader.

Hezekiah's Prayer for Deliverance (2 Kings 19:14-19; Isaiah 37:14-20):

One of the most notable instances of Hezekiah's prayer life is his response to the Assyrian threat under King Sennacherib. When Jerusalem was besieged, Hezekiah received a threatening letter from the Assyrian king, demanding surrender. In a display of humility and faith, Hezekiah took the letter to the temple and spread it before the LORD. He prayed, acknowledging God's sovereignty and pleading for deliverance so that all kingdoms of the earth might know that the LORD alone is God.

The Berean Standard Bible records part of his prayer: "O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God" (2 Kings 19:19). This prayer exemplifies Hezekiah's reliance on God and his desire for God's glory to be revealed to the nations.

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 the city. That very night, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to Sennacherib's retreat (2 Kings 19:35-36).

Hezekiah's Prayer for Healing (2 Kings 20:1-11; Isaiah 38:1-8):

Another significant moment in Hezekiah's life was his prayer for healing. When Hezekiah became terminally ill, the prophet Isaiah informed him that he would not recover. In response, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed earnestly, reminding God of his faithfulness and wholehearted devotion.

The Berean Standard Bible captures his plea: "Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight" (2 Kings 20:3). Moved by Hezekiah's prayer and tears, God granted him an additional fifteen years of life and provided a miraculous sign as confirmation: the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz went back ten steps (2 Kings 20:6-11).

Hezekiah's Thanksgiving and Praise (Isaiah 38:9-20):

Following his recovery, Hezekiah composed a song of thanksgiving and praise, recorded in Isaiah 38. In this song, he reflects on his experience of illness and God's deliverance, expressing gratitude for the extension of his life and the opportunity to continue praising God in the land of the living.

Hezekiah's prayers, characterized by sincerity, humility, and a deep trust in God, serve as a powerful testament to the importance of prayer in the life of a believer. His example encourages believers to approach God with confidence, seeking His intervention in times of crisis and expressing gratitude for His faithfulness and mercy.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 20:2
Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying,
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Library

Hezekiah, the Praying King
... Psalm 26:1, "Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity." This is not a
prayer test with Hezekiah, nor is it a faith cure, but it is a testing of God. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/vi hezekiah the praying king.htm

Hezekiah
... And in the prophetic prayer offered at the dedication of the temple whose services
Hezekiah and his associates were now restoring, Solomon had prayed, "When ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

An Instance Showing How King Hezekiah was Overthrown by the Dart ...
... For so we read that Hezekiah, King of Judah, a man of most perfect righteousness
in all ... And he who by a single prayer of his was able to procure the death of a ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter x an instance showing.htm

Prayer and Obedience (Continued)
... found his approach to Hezekiah barred for fifteen years. Jesus learned obedience
in the school of suffering, and, at the same time, He learned prayer in the ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/x prayer and obedience continued.htm

Bear up the Hands that Hang Down, by Faith and Prayer...
... Hezekiah, "Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live." and Hezekiah
prayed, and God sent Isaiah back to say, "I have heard thy prayer, I have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ix bear up the.htm

The Life of the Spirit
... 'Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus
saith the Lord, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears, behold I will ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxxii the life of.htm

Answer to Objections: Signal Instances of Prayer
... Hezekiah, who while still childless learned from Isaiah that he was about to die,
is ... as the result of Haman's conspiracy, it was the heard prayer with fasting ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter viii answer to objections .htm

'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
... 'By terrible things in righteousness' did He answer the prayer of Hezekiah, and
give to all humble souls who are oppressed and cry to Him a pledge that 'as ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/he uttered his voice the.htm

How Sennacherib Made an Expedition against Hezekiah; What
... the same time also the king of Assyria wrote an epistle to Hezekiah, in which ... all
the people, the prophet Isaiah said that God had heard his prayer, and that ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how sennacherib made.htm

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... God said to Isaiah, "Go, say to Hezekiah, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen
thy tears; behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm