2 Kings 20 Study Notes

20:1-21 Most of this chapter (vv. 1-19) clearly occurred before Sennacherib’s invasion. The major evidence is that Merodach-baladan’s significant activities in Babylon occurred before this invasion. In the absence of explicit markers of chronological sequence, episodes in Hebrew narrative are not necessarily chronologically ordered. This chapter develops two points: (1) Hezekiah was so pious that God granted his prayer for extra years of life, and (2) Hezekiah, in pride, misused those extra years.

20:1-3 In those days may be interpreted as “in this same general time frame” (cp. 10:32; 15:37; Jdg 19:1). Told of his coming death, Hezekiah faced a difficult theological choice—either accept God’s will or ask for special treatment. But the question can be stated in even more difficult terms. Should Hezekiah accept the will of the loving, omnipotent, sovereign Lord, or should he ask the immutable God to change his mind (Nm 23:19)? The Bible sometimes expects us to ask (Jms 4:2), and Hezekiah asked with sorrow, appealing to his righteous behavior.

20:4-6 God was neither surprised by nor unprepared for Hezekiah’s prayer. He not only granted what was asked, but he also gave a promise of deliverance from the coming Assyrian invasion. Thus, this event was to strengthen Hezekiah’s faith for that ordeal.

20:7 Some have suggested that what unfolded here was a divinely prescribed medical cure, meaning that God knew the treatment with figs would cure Hezekiah. More likely it was simply a miraculous healing. But in either case, God worked in response to prayer (v. 2).

20:8 An arrogant demand for a sign from the Lord is sin (Mt 16:1-4), but God might choose to honor a humble request for a sign (Jdg 6:36-40).

20:9-11 God let Hezekiah choose the final nature of the sign. Again, the purpose of this exercise was to strengthen Hezekiah’s faith for the future.

20:12 This episode with Babylon also looked forward to Sennacherib’s invasion. This invasion was a response to a worldwide conspiracy against Assyrian power. Merodach-baladan wanted to gain Hezekiah’s support in such a rebellion.

20:13 Was Hezekiah’s pride in the wealth he had accumulated? Wealth without empire may have been a relatively new thing in Judah. David and Solomon had great wealth, but their wealth grew from imperial power—control of international trade routes and foreign tribute. Or was Hezekiah’s pride based on being sought as a player in the international politics of the day?

20:14-15 Hezekiah’s brief answer indicated a reluctance to discuss the issue with Isaiah, but the prophet continued his questioning until he received an answer from the king that merited comment.

20:16-18 Isaiah’s prophecy concerning Hezekiah’s wealth and descendants indicated the king had erred in showing all of Judah’s wealth to the Babylonian embassy. The prideful sin may have included using God’s blessings as bargaining points in an international political power play. This, then, could be another example of the recurrent conflict between playing a prudent role in international politics and failing to properly trust in the Lord.

20:19 Hezekiah’s acceptance of God’s punishment could have been either humble acceptance of God’s will, or selfish rejoicing because he would experience peace and security in his own day.

20:20-21 The story leaps over Sennacherib’s invasion to the summary and conclusion of Hezekiah’s reign. After the comment about the other records of Hezekiah’s deeds, this conclusion turns the spotlight on one of Hezekiah’s most important provisions for that war—the construction of a reservoir for water for a siege and of the tunnel that allowed water to come into the city of Jerusalem (see map on p. 1094). The record of Hezekiah then closes with the statements of his death and the succession of his son Manasseh to the throne.