Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery
Hezekiah becomes mortally ill, prays, and receives an answer and a sign from the LORD. Yet pride keeps him from answering grace rightly, so wrath rises until he and Jerusalem humble themselves and judgment is held back.
I24n those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. So he prayed to the LORD, who spoke to him and gave him a sign. 25But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 26Then Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart— he and the people of Jerusalem— so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah’s reign is marked by great wealth, storehouses, livestock, cities, and successful public works, including the water channel into Jerusalem. His prosperity is presented as extensive and enduring.
27Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of valuable articles. 28He also made storehouses for the harvest of grain and new wine and oil, stalls for all kinds of livestock, and pens for the flocks. 29He made cities for himself, and he acquired herds of sheep and cattle in abundance, for God gave him very great wealth. 30It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Spring of Gihon and channeled it down to the west side of the City of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all that he did.
When Babylonian envoys come asking about the wonder in the land, God leaves Hezekiah to be tested so what is in his heart may be revealed.
31And so when ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon were sent to him to inquire about the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone to test him, that He might know all that was in Hezekiah’s heart.