2 Kings 20

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Chapter Overview

2 Kings 20 is a historical narrative chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of mercy, truth, prayer. Written during the divided and exilic periods (c. 853-560 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The divided kingdoms faced threats from rising empires: Assyria and later Babylon.

The chapter can be divided into several sections:

  1. Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
  2. Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
  3. Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
  4. Verses 21-21: Conclusion and application

This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 2 Kings and its broader place in the scriptural canon.

Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery

1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophetProphet: נָבִיא (Navi). The Hebrew navi (נָבִיא) means prophet—one who speaks God's word to the people. Prophets received divine revelation and declared God's message, often calling Israel to repentance and foretelling future events. Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. References Lord: 2 Kings 19:20. Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 17:23, Philippians 2:27, 2:30

2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty., saying, Prayer: 1 Kings 8:30, Matthew 6:6. Parallel theme: Psalms 50:15

3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truthTruth: אֱמֶת (Emet). The Hebrew emet (אֱמֶת) means truth or faithfulness—reliability and conformity to reality. God is true (emet), utterly faithful to His word and character. and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. References Lord: 1 Kings 8:61, Luke 1:6. Good: Nehemiah 5:19, 13:14, 13:31. Parallel theme: Nehemiah 13:22

4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the wordWord: דָּבָר (Davar). The Hebrew davar (דָּבָר) means word, thing, or matter—God's creative and authoritative speech. 'By the word of the LORD were the heavens made' (Psalm 33:6). of the LORD came to him, saying,

5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity. of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. References God: Exodus 15:26, Matthew 22:32, Revelation 7:17. Prayer: 2 Kings 19:20, Psalms 39:12, Isaiah 38:5. Parallel theme: 1 Samuel 9:16, Psalms 56:8, 126:5, 147:3 +5

6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. References David: 2 Kings 19:34

7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. Parallel theme: Isaiah 38:21

8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day? References Lord: 2 Kings 20:5, Isaiah 7:11. Parallel theme: 2 Kings 19:29, Judges 6:17, Hosea 6:2

9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?

10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.

11 And Isaiah the prophetProphet: נָבִיא (Navi). The Hebrew navi (נָבִיא) means prophet—one who speaks God's word to the people. Prophets received divine revelation and declared God's message, often calling Israel to repentance and foretelling future events. cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz. References Lord: 2 Chronicles 32:24. Parallel theme: Isaiah 38:8

Envoys from Babylon

12 At that time Berodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. References Babylon: 2 Chronicles 32:31

13 And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

14 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon.

15 And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the wordWord: דָּבָר (Davar). The Hebrew davar (דָּבָר) means word, thing, or matter—God's creative and authoritative speech. 'By the word of the LORD were the heavens made' (Psalm 33:6). of the LORD.

17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty.. References Lord: 2 Kings 24:13, 2 Chronicles 36:10

18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. Kingdom: 2 Kings 24:12, 2 Chronicles 33:11, Daniel 1:3

19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truthTruth: אֱמֶת (Emet). The Hebrew emet (אֱמֶת) means truth or faithfulness—reliability and conformity to reality. God is true (emet), utterly faithful to His word and character. be in my days? Good: 1 Samuel 3:18

20 And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Kingdom: 2 Chronicles 32:4, 32:32. Creation: Nehemiah 3:16

21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead. Kingdom: 2 Chronicles 32:33