2 Ki. 18:1-8, Hezekiah: Life and Reign

For the next several posts we would like to concentrate on the life of the great King Hezekiah.  We learn of his greatness in the narrative passages of 2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chron. 29-32 and Isaiah 36-39.  In addition, he was contemporary with the prophets Isaiah, Hosea and Micah.  Since there are complimentary passages, the first thing I would like to do is to “harmonize” the passages into one “biography” of Hezekiah.  There are 8 sections in Hezekiah’s life.  The one that involves all 3 narrative passages, the “Assyrian Situation,” we will break down in detail.

Harmony of Hezekiah’s Life

1.    Inauguration and overview of His life, 2 Ki. 18:1-8; 2 Chron. 29:1.

2.    1st year, 1st month: restoration of temple worship, 2 Chron. 29:2-36

3.    1st year, 2nd month: Passover celebration, 2 Chron. 30

4.    First year, 3rd month: more long-term spiritual reforms, 2 Chron. 31

5.    4th to 7th years: Assyria besieges Samaria, deports people, 1 Ki. 18:9-12

6.    14th year, Assyrian situation, 2 Ki. 18:9-19:34; 2 Chron. 32:1-23; Isa. 36-37

Event	2 Chr	Isaiah	2 Kings
Sennacherib invades Judah, takes fortified cities	32:1-2	36:1	18:13
Hezekiah prepares for war, pays tribute to Sennacherib	32:3-5		18:14-17
Encourages the people and military	32:6-8
Assyrians come to Jerusalem, harass the people and attack God	v9-19	v2-22; 37:8-13	v18-37; 19:8-13
Hezekiah and Isaiah pray	v20	v1-7, 14-20	v1-7,14-19
God's answer to prayer		v21-35	v20-34
Assyrian army cut down by an angel	v21a	v36	v35
King of Assyria cut down in his temple	v21b	v37-38	v36-37
Hezekiah is exalted	v22-23

7.    Healing of Hezekiah, Isa. 38; 2 Chron. 32:24-26; 2 Ki. 20:1-11

8.    Visit of the Babylonian Envoys, Isa. 39; 2 Chron. 32:27-31; 2 Ki. 20:12-19.

9.    Death of Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 32:32-33; 2 Ki. 20:20-21.

How many of these events were familiar to you?  In our next few posts we will give you a passage to read, as always.  Perhaps you will want to read through all of the narrative passages about this great and godly king.  We think that, as always, there will be much to glean from a study of his life.