OT Characters: Hezekiah

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Chizqiyyah, Chizqiyyahu, Yechizqiyya, or Yechizqiyyahu (Hezekiah) -- “Yah has strengthened”

About 125x in the Bible

Further study:

• Passages covered in this podcast:
  • 2 Kings 18-20
  • Referred to in passing: 2 Kings 16:20; Numbers 21:4-9; 2 Chronicles 16:12; Judges 6, Isaiah 7, Matthew 4;
• Further:
  • Parallel accounts: 2 Chronicles 29-32 and Isaiah 36-39
  • Hezekiah is also mentioned in the Assyrian records. Read the account from the Sennacherib Prism (701 BC).
  • See also the Assyrian reliefs from the siege of Lachish, after whose conquest Jerusalem became the next target. Click here.
  • Read the Passover passage in 2 Chronicles 30:1-20. What do we learn about God in this passage? about his grace? his willingness to make exceptions?

Some things we learn about God:

• When we trust and obey, God prepares us for significant service.
• God is concerned for his honor. To him (alone) is the glory.
• Sometimes God heals through physicians. Such recoveries are no less answered prayers simply because medicine is involved!
• The Lord gives those who trust him comfort and direction, through spiritual men and women of God.
• God responds to heartfelt prayer.

For kids: You will find an interesting Bible lesson on Hezekiah here.

Key verses:

• 2 Kings 18:2 --  Becomes king at age 25.
• 2 Kings 19:1 -- Responds penitently when Jerusalem is threatened by the Assyrians.
• 2 Kings 19:14ff, 20:2ff -- He prayers sincerely and expressively.
• 2 Kings 20:6 -- The Lord adds 15 years to his life. He dies (v.21) at age 54.
• 2 Kings 20:19 -- Despite his strong walk with the Lord, Hezekiah shows a certain complacency.

P.S. This lesson was prerecorded. (I didn't record during our wedding anniversary celebration!)

Next lesson: Manasseh.