Hezekiah falls mortally ill; Isaiah tells him to set his house in order. Hezekiah weeps and prays, reminding the LORD of his faithfulness. Before Isaiah leaves the middle court, the LORD's word comes: 'I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you; in three days you will go to the temple, and I will add fifteen years.' The sign: the shadow retreats ten steps on the stairs of Ahaz. Isaiah has a lump of figs applied and Hezekiah recovers. When Merodach-baladan of Babylon sends letters and gifts, Hezekiah shows the envoys all his treasure house - nothing remains hidden. Isaiah prophesies that everything in the palace will be carried to Babylon, and Hezekiah's descendants will become eunuchs there. Hezekiah accepts the word, thinking at least there will be peace and security in his days. Manasseh succeeds him.
Updated on
Read 2 Kings Chapter 20 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Elisha
Elijah's successor who performed many miracles and ministered to Israel's kings
Hezekiah
Faithful king of Judah who trusted God against Assyria and was healed from illness
Josiah
Reforming king who rediscovered the Law and led Judah in renewal
Naaman
Syrian commander healed of leprosy by Elisha, demonstrating God's grace to Gentiles
Manasseh
Wicked king of Judah who led the nation into deep idolatry
Isaiah
The Messianic Prophet
David
King of Israel
Judah
Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ
Manasseh, Son of Joseph
The Firstborn, Whose Name Means Forgetting
Places in This Chapter
Position in Book
Elisha's MinistryChapters 1-8
Decline of Both KingdomsChapters 9-16
Fall of IsraelChapters 17
Judah AloneChapters 18-25
Hezekiah's faithfulness, Manasseh's wickedness, Josiah's reforms, fall of Jerusalem to Babylon.
