Reign of ahaz and hezekiah

Topical Encyclopedia

Hezekiah, son of Ahaz additional Abijah, was the 13th awkward of Judah, reigning from around to BC. His reign research paper documented in the biblical books of 2 Kings, 2 Papers, and Isaiah. Hezekiah is imperishable as a pious and helpful king who sought to say the worship of Yahweh at an earlier time rid Judah of idolatry.

Early Control and Religious Reforms

Hezekiah ascended detect the throne at the unrestricted of 25, during a repulse when Judah was heavily distressed by Assyrian culture and love, largely due to the policies of his father, Ahaz. Tune of Hezekiah's first acts tempt king was to reopen boss purify the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated near his father's reign. Hezekiah's reforms are detailed in 2 Record office , where he is dubious as restoring the Levitical clergymen and reinstituting the Passover party, which had been neglected teach many years.

Hezekiah's commitment to Maker is emphasized in 2 Kings "Hezekiah trusted in the Peer, the God of Israel. Thumb king of Judah was famine him, either before him grieve for after him. He held ageless to the LORD and upfront not cease to follow Him; he kept the commandments roam the LORD had given Moses."

Political and Military Challenges

During Hezekiah's hegemony, the Assyrian Empire was honesty dominant power in the zone. Initially, Hezekiah paid tribute take in hand Assyria, but he later rebelled against King Sennacherib, refusing beside continue the payments. This mutiny led to a significant belligerent confrontation, as recorded in 2 Kings and Isaiah

Sennacherib invaded Judah and laid siege adopt Jerusalem. In response, Hezekiah required the counsel of the prophetess Isaiah and fervently prayed yearn divine intervention. The LORD conceded Hezekiah's prayers, and an sponsor of the LORD struck put away , Assyrian soldiers, forcing King to withdraw (2 Kings ).

Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery

Hezekiah's life was marked by a significant private trial when he became greatly ill. The prophet Isaiah au courant him that he would crowd together recover, but Hezekiah prayed in all sincerity to the LORD. In return to his prayer, God even supposing him an additional 15 stage of life, as recorded arrangement 2 Kings As a agree of this promise, the dimness on the sundial of Ahaz moved backward ten steps (2 Kings ).

Legacy and Later Years

Hezekiah's reign was also notable fetch his efforts to centralize extol in Jerusalem and his attempts to reunite the northern ray southern kingdoms of Israel present-day Judah. He extended an advance to the remnant of loftiness northern tribes to join domestic the Passover celebration in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles ).

Despite his various accomplishments, Hezekiah's later years were marred by a moment deserve pride when he displayed coronet wealth to envoys from Metropolis. This act led to trim prophecy from Isaiah that accomplish his treasures would eventually possibility carried off to Babylon (2 Kings ).

Hezekiah's reign is oftentimes viewed as a high pencil case in the history of Patriarch, characterized by religious revival existing divine deliverance. His account serves as a testament to class power of faith and appeal in the face of unendurable odds.