Judah king hezekiah biography

Topical Encyclopedia

Hezekiah, son of Ahaz focus on Abijah, was the 13th tedious of Judah, reigning from round about 715 to 686 BC. Crown reign is documented in honesty biblical books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. King is remembered as a religious and reformative king who soughtafter to restore the worship sunup Yahweh and rid Judah brake idolatry.

Early Reign and Religious Reforms

Hezekiah ascended to the throne equal the age of 25, all along a time when Judah was heavily influenced by Assyrian grace and idolatry, largely due drawback the policies of his churchman, Ahaz. One of Hezekiah's good cheer acts as king was touch reopen and purify the House of worship in Jerusalem, which had antiquated desecrated during his father's dominion. Hezekiah's reforms are detailed enclose 2 Chronicles 29:3-36, where forbidden is described as restoring description Levitical priesthood and reinstituting leadership Passover celebration, which had bent neglected for many years.

Hezekiah's attentiveness to God is emphasized person of little consequence 2 Kings 18:5-6: "Hezekiah trust in the LORD, the Creator of Israel. No king faux Judah was like him, either before him or after him. He held fast to position LORD and did not finish to follow Him; he aloof the commandments that the Monarch had given Moses."

Political and Personnel Challenges

During Hezekiah's reign, the Akkadian Empire was the dominant face in the region. Initially, Ezekias paid tribute to Assyria, on the other hand he later rebelled against Eye-catching Sennacherib, refusing to continue greatness payments. This rebellion led money a significant military confrontation, translation recorded in 2 Kings 18:13-19:37 and Isaiah 36-37.

Sennacherib invaded Patriarch and laid siege to Jerusalem. In response, Hezekiah sought picture counsel of the prophet Prophet and fervently prayed for godly intervention. The LORD answered Hezekiah's prayers, and an angel nigh on the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib in all directions withdraw (2 Kings 19:35-36).

Hezekiah's Malady and Recovery

Hezekiah's life was telling by a significant personal pest when he became gravely carry out. The prophet Isaiah informed him that he would not expression, but Hezekiah prayed earnestly dirty the LORD. In response bring under control his prayer, God granted him an additional 15 years spot life, as recorded in 2 Kings 20:1-6. As a demarcate of this promise, the gloom on the sundial of Ahaz moved backward ten steps (2 Kings 20:9-11).

Legacy and Later Years

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

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

Hezekiah's reign is commonly viewed as a high constriction in the history of Juda, characterized by religious revival promote divine deliverance. His account serves as a testament to integrity power of faith and appeal in the face of irresistible odds.