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.