2 Kings 20
Meaning of 2 Kings 20
2 Kings 20 is a chapter from the Bible, in the Old Testament, that primarily tells the story of King Hezekiah of Judah and his encounter with illness, healing, and prophecy. Below is a general summary of each section:
1-7 – Hezekiah’s Illness and Healing:
In these verses, King Hezekiah becomes deathly ill. The prophet Isaiah delivers a message to Hezekiah from God, telling him he will soon die. In response, Hezekiah prays to God with much weeping. Hearing his prayer, God decides to heal Hezekiah, adding 15 years to his life. God provides a sign to Hezekiah to confirm his promise by making the shadow cast by the sun move backwards.
8-11 – The Sign:
Upon Hezekiah’s request for a sign to assure him of his recovery and extension of his life, Isaiah asks God to move the shadow back by ten steps, which is fulfilled.
12-19 – Envoys from Babylon:
In these verses, the Bible recounts how envoys from Babylon visit Hezekiah after hearing about his illness and recovery. Hezekiah, delighted by their visit, shows them all his treasures, something he later comes to regret. Isaiah foretells that all of Hezekiah’s treasures and some of his descendants will be taken to Babylon, laying the groundwork for the future Babylonian exile.
20-21 – Hezekiah’s Death:
The last two verses summarize the rest of Hezekiah’s reign and record his death and burial. The people are told that they can read more about Hezekiah in other historical records.
This chapter focuses on themes of prayer, faith, healing, and prophecy while chronicling significant events in King Hezekiah’s life.
2 Kings 20 kjv
2 Kings 20:1-21 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible focuses on the story of King Hezekiah of Judah.
At the start of the chapter (20:1-7), Hezekiah is gravely ill, and the prophet Isaiah tells him he should get his house in order as he will die soon. After hearing this, Hezekiah prays desperately to God, reminding Him of his faithfulness and commitment to His word. As a response to Hezekiah’s prayer, God sends Isaiah back to Hezekiah to tell him that He heard his prayers, saw his tears and would add fifteen years to his life. He also gives a promise to deliver both him and the city of Jerusalem from the king of Assyria.
In verses 8-11, Hezekiah asks for a sign that the Lord will heal him and extend his life. Isaiah asks Hezekiah if the shadow on the sundial should go forward ten steps or back ten steps as a sign. Hezekiah replies that it should go back ten steps, and Isaiah calls on the Lord, who makes the shadow recede ten steps.
Verses 12-19 tell a story of Hezekiah showing all his treasures to envoys from Babylon. Isaiah condemns this action, prophesying that everything in his house and the house of his forefathers will be carried off to Babylon one day. The sons that Hezekiah fathered will also be taken to be eunuchs in the palace of the King of Babylon. However, Hezekiah takes this message lightly as he is promised there will be peace and security in his days — a hint to his overwhelming relief that these disastrous events wouldn’t occur in his lifetime.
Finally, the chapter concludes (20:20-21) with a note on the rest of Hezekiah’s acts, his good deeds, how he made a pool and a conduit to bring water into the city, and his death and burial in the best of the sepulchers of the sons of David. His son Manasseh then succeeds him as king.
2 Kings 20 nkjv
2 Kings 20 New King James Version (NKJV) is a chapter in the Bible that focuses on the life and challenges of King Hezekiah of Judah. It highlights his illness, recovery, as well as the visit from the Babylonian envoys.
1. **Hezekiah’s Life Extended**: This section tells about King Hezekiah’s severe illness. The prophet Isaiah told him that he would not recover and should set his house in order. Upon hearing this, King Hezekiah prayed to God, reminding Him of his faithfulness and wholehearted service. God heard his prayer, and through Isaiah, promised him additional 15 years to his life and also to deliver him and the city from the hands of the Assyrians.
2. **Hezekiah’s Life Extended**: After his prayer, Isaiah provided a sign from the Lord – he made the shadow cast by the declining sun go back ten steps on the staircase. This was a supernatural reversal, demonstrating that God had control over nature, and time and was a confirmation of Hezekiah’s healing and the extension of his life.
3. **The Babylonian Envoys**: Hezekiah became well and prosperous. When envoys from Babylon visited him to inquire about the miraculous event causing the shadow to retreat, Hezekiah, in his pride, showed them all his treasury and wealth rather than attributing his blessings and the miracle to God.
4. **Coming Judgment**: Isaiah, informed of Hezekiah’s actions, prophesied that a day would come when everything in Hezekiah’s palace, and all that his ancestors had saved, would be carried off to Babylon. He also prophesied that some of his own descendants would be taken away as slaves. Hezekiah responded with humility, accepting that God’s words were good since there would be peace and truth during his lifetime.
The chapter concludes with the death of Hezekiah.
This chapter serves as a reminder about the importance of humility, the consequences of pride, and God’s sovereignty over life and time.
2 Kings 20 niv
2 Kings 20 New International Version (NIV) tells the story of King Hezekiah of Judah during a time of illness and recovery, as well as his interactions with envoys from Babylon.
The chapter starts with the Prophet Isaiah telling Hezekiah to put his house in order as he is about to die. Upon receiving this news, Hezekiah prays to God and reminds Him of his faithfulness. Hearing his prayers, God decides to add fifteen more years to Hezekiah’s life.
Then, Hezekiah asks Isaiah for a sign from God to ensure his recovery. God, through Isaiah, gives Hezekiah the choice between the shadow on the sundial advancing ten steps or going back ten steps as evidence of his promise. Hezekiah chooses the shadow to go back ten steps.
Later in the chapter, envoys from Babylon come to visit Hezekiah after hearing of his illness and recovery. Hezekiah, in a moment of pride, shows them all his wealth. Isaiah, displeased with Hezekiah’s actions, prophesies that the Babylonians will one day come to carry away all the wealth that he showed them, and some of his descendants will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
Hezekiah responds to the prophecy with acceptance, noticing at least immediate disaster will not fall upon his realm. The chapter concludes by noting Hezekiah’s death and the ascension of his son Manasseh to the throne.
What is 2 Kings 20 all about?
Sure, 2 Kings 20 from the Bible is about King Hezekiah and his interactions with the prophet Isaiah. There are three main segments in this chapter:
1. Hezekiah’s Illness and Healing: Initially, Hezekiah is facing an imminent death, warned by Prophet Isaiah. But Hezekiah turns to God in prayer asking for healing. God hears his prayer and Isaiah foretells that he will recover and even be granted fifteen more years to live. Isaiah then works a miracle using a fig poultice to heal Hezekiah’s boil. God also provides a miraculous sign by moving the shadow on the sundial back ten steps to confirm Hezekiah’s healing.
2. Hezekiah’s Foolish Pride: Hezekiah then entertains envoys from Babylon and, in a moment of pride, shows them all his treasure and wealth. Instead of using this as an opportunity to tell them of the God who had healed him, Hezekiah keeps the focus on himself.
3. Prophecy of Babylonian Exile: After this, Isaiah prophecies that the days are coming when everything in Hezekiah’s palace, the treasure he has showed off, and all that his fathers have stored up will be carried off to Babylon. Also, some of his own descendants will become eunuchs serving in the palace of the king of Babylon. Hezekiah responds by expressing relief that the judgment will not come in his lifetime.
The chapter ends by summarizing Hezekiah’s reign and noting his death and burial. These events provide a warning about misplaced trust and priorities, even while highlighting God’s mercy and responsiveness to prayer.
What does 2 Kings 20 teaches?
2 Kings 20, part of the Bible, tells the story of King Hezekiah’s illness, recovery, and eventual downfall due to his pride and disobedience. There are several key lessons that can be learned from this chapter:
1. God listens to our prayers: In the chapter, when King Hezekiah was seriously ill, he sincerely prayed to God for healing. God heard his prayers and even added 15 more years to his life. This teaches us that God is merciful and listens to our sincere prayers.
2. A sign from God: When Hezekiah asked God for a sign that he would indeed recover, God provided one. This shows that God can give signs when He needs to confirm His words.
3. The consequences of pride and recklessness: When Babylonian envoys visited Hezekiah, he showed them all his treasury out of pride. This eventually led to the destruction of Jerusalem as prophesied by Isaiah. This teaches us that pride and recklessness can lead to severe consequences.
4. Prophecy can come to pass: Prophet Isaiah’s warning to Hezekiah about the captivity of his descendants in Babylon came true in later chapters. This shows that God’s word is true and prophecy can come to pass.
Overall, 2 Kings 20 teaches us about God’s mercy, the power of prayer, the dangers of pride, the importance of obedience, and the credibility of prophecies.
A Sermon on 2 Kings 20
2 Kings 20 focuses on King Hezekiah’s illness, recovery, and his life’s events. Here’s an example of how a sermon on this chapter might look:
Title: “Trust in God’s Timing and Grace – Lessons from King Hezekiah”
I – Hezekiah’s Terminal Illness (Verses 1-3):
The chapter begins with Hezekiah’s serious illness. The prophet Isaiah delivers a message to him from God saying he should put his house in order as his death is near. Hezekiah prays earnestly to God, reminding Him of his faithfulness. Here, it could be emphasized that even in his desperate situation, Hezekiah turns to God with complete trust and openness.
II – God’s Answer to Prayer (Verses 4-11):
God hears Hezekiah’s prayer and sends Isaiah back to him with a new message: Hezekiah will be healed, and his life will be extended by 15 years. God also promises Hezekiah protection for his kingdom. This could be interpreted as a lesson about God’s mercy and grace. He listens, cares, and responds to our earnest prayers. Here, God provides a sign for Hezekiah, turning the shadow back ten steps, demonstrating His power to change both time and circumstance.
III – Hezekiah and Babylon (Verses 12-19) :
After his recovery, Hezekiah receives envoys from Babylon and, quite foolishly, shows them all of the kingdom’s treasures. Isaiah confronts him with a prophecy of judgment that all these treasures will one day be carried off to Babylon. The message here could be about the danger of pride. Instead of thanking God for his recovery and attributing all his wealth and success to Him, Hezekiah boasts about his possessions, leading to the prophecy of doom.
IV – Conclusion: The Death of Hezekiah (Verses 20-21):
Despite his mistake, Hezekiah’s reforms and initiatives weren’t dismissed from God’s sight. His good deeds overshadowed his imperfections. He died and was succeeded by his son, Manasseh.
This sermon could serve as a reflection on dependency on God at all times; openly communicating with Him in times of distress, acknowledging Him when He answers our prayers and truly understanding, everything we possess is God-given and not an achievement of our personal striving.
Key people in 2 Kings 20
In 2 Kings 20, there are three key people mentioned:
1. Hezekiah: He was the king of Judah from 716 – 687 B.C.E. who was known for his faithfulness to God. Hezekiah became severely ill and prayed for recovery. God extended his life by fifteen years through the prophet Isaiah. However, he also revealed that after his death, his descendants would be exiled to Babylon.
2. Isaiah: He was one of the major prophets in the Old Testament. In 2 Kings 20, Isaiah delivered God’s messages to Hezekiah, both giving him the assurance that he would recover from his illness and predicting the future exile of his descendants.
3. Merodach-Baladan: He was the king of Babylon during this time who sent messengers to King Hezekiah, likely in an attempt to form an alliance against Assyria. Hezekiah showed Merodach-Baladan’s messengers all his wealth and treasures, a prideful act that Isaiah warned would lead to the exile of all that wealth to Babylon.
Real world examples on 2 Kings 20
In 2 Kings 20, King Hezekiah gets sick and prays to God for healing. After Hezekiah’s plea, God extends his life by 15 years. In the real world, this serves as a metaphor that emphasizes the importance of faith, prayer and communication with God during challenging times such as illness or despair.
For example, suppose someone is diagnosed with a severe illness. In this situation, the person might seek comfort in prayer and place their faith in God, much like Hezekiah. Their faith might offer them solace and even hope — just like God granting Hezekiah 15 more years of life offered hope to the people of Judah.
The second part of the chapter recounts how Hezekiah foolishly shows all his treasures and distilleries to envoys from Babylon. Hezekiah’s actions indirectly lead to the Babylonian captivity of Judah in future, as foretold by prophet Isaiah. In real-world context, this could be interpreted as a warning against overexposure, uncalculated trust or thoughtless boasting. For instance, a business owner who naively exposes all their trade secrets to a competitor could face disastrous consequences, similar to the Babylonian captivity.
This story from 2 Kings 20 provides real-world lessons on faith and prayer during personal trials, as well as cautionary advice on the improper handling of valuable assets or information.
Brief Explanation of 2 Kings 20
2 Kings 20 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible, and it focuses on the life of King Hezekiah of Judah. The chapter starts with Hezekiah falling gravely ill, and the prophet Isaiah telling him that he will not recover. However, after Hezekiah prays to God, God heals him and adds 15 years to his life. God also delivers Judah from the Assyrian King Sennacherib during this time.
Later in the chapter, envoys from Babylon visit Hezekiah. Hezekiah, healed and reinvigorated, shows the envoys his entire treasure, including his armory and everything in his treasury. Isaiah condemns this act, foretelling that everything Hezekiah has shown to the Babylonians will be carried off to Babylon, and some of his descendants will also be taken away to serve as eunuchs in the Babylonian court.
The chapter concludes with Hezekiah accepting this prophecy, reasoning that it will guarantee peace and truth in his lifetime. Finally, it is mentioned that Hezekiah passes away and his son Manasseh succeeds him as king.
Frequently asked questions for 2 Kings 20
1. Who is Hezekiah and what is his significance in 2 Kings 20?
– Hezekiah is a king of Judah and a major figure in 2 Kings. In chapter 20, he is noted for his communication with God through prayer when he becomes gravely ill. God hears his prayer and adds 15 years to his life.
2. What does the Prophet Isaiah do in 2 Kings 20?
– The Prophet Isaiah is sent by God to tell Hezekiah that he will die from his sickness. Later, after Hezekiah’s prayer, God tells Isaiah to return to Hezekiah and inform him that He has heard his prayer, seen his tears, and will heal him and add 15 years to his life.
3. What was the sign that God gave Hezekiah to assure him that He will heal him?
– God moved the shadow on the sundial ten steps backward, which was cast by the descending sun. This miracle showed God’s ability to reverse time and it served as an assurance of Hezekiah’s promised healing and extended life.
4. What does Hezekiah show to the representatives from Babylon?
– Hezekiah shows the Babylonian envoys all his treasure, including his silver, gold, spices, and precious oil, as well as his armory and everything found among his treasures.
5. What was Isaiah’s prophecy regarding Babylon?
– Isaiah prophesies that all of Hezekiah’s treasures that he has shown to the Babylonians, along with some of his descendants, will be taken away to Babylon. This foreshadows the eventual Babylonian exile.
6. Why does the chapter mention Hezekiah’s deeds?
– The writer brings up Hezekiah’s deeds to give a full account of his reign. This record is to display both his faithfulness to God and his mistakes which had long-lasting consequences for his kingdom.
7. How does King Hezekiah respond to the prophecy about Babylon?
– Hezekiah acknowledges the word of the Lord as good, considering that there will be peace and security during his lifetime. Some interpret his response as a sign of relief, while others see it as a sign of selfishness or short-sightedness.
Possible References for 2 Kings 20
The book of 2 Kings 20 is a chapter in the Bible that is part of the Old Testament. Here are possible references that can be made from this chapter:
1. Hezekiah’s Illness and Healing: This chapter begins with Hezekiah, the king of Judah, falling seriously ill. The prophet Isaiah tells him to set his house in order because he is going to die. Upon hearing this, Hezekiah prays to God and weeps. God, acknowledging Hezekiah’s faithfulness, sends Isaiah back to tell Hezekiah that He will heal him and add fifteen more years to his life (2 Kings 20: 1-6)
2. Sign of the Sun’s Movement: Hezekiah asks for a sign that God would indeed heal him. God through Isaiah causes the shadow on the sundial to go back ten steps as a sign. This was miraculous as it went against the common laws of nature (2 Kings 20: 8-11).
3. Babylonian Envoys: The chapter also tells the story of envoys sent to Hezekiah by Berodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon. Hezekiah, in his pride, displayed all his wealth and treasures to these envoys. This leads Isaiah to prophesy about the Babylonian captivity, where all of the treasures Hezekiah showed off and some of his own sons will be taken to Babylon (2 Kings 20: 12-18).
4. Hezekiah’s Death: The chapter concludes with the death and burial of Hezekiah. His efforts during his reign like the redirecting of water into the city of Jerusalem are noted. His son Manasseh succeeds him as king (2 Kings 20: 20-21).
Every reference may have a further theological and historical interpretation in Christianity and it may also be interpreted differently in Jewish tradition.
Conclusion on 2 Kings 20
2 Kings 20 recounts the story of King Hezekiah’s illness, his prayer to God, and his subsequent recovery. Hezekiah is informed by the Prophet Isaiah that he should put his house in order because he will die soon. However, after Hezekiah prays to God, God sends Isaiah back to Hezekiah to inform him that he will live another fifteen years. Hezekiah asks for a sign from God, and God makes the shadow go back ten steps on the sundial, a seemingly impossible act.
Additionally, this chapter also tells the story of envoys from Babylon who came to visit Hezekiah after hearing of his illness and recovery. Hezekiah shows them all his treasures, which would ultimately prove to be a mistake.
In the conclusion, it is stated that Hezekiah dies and his son, Manasseh, reigns in his place. It’s suggested his death was a consequence of his pride and his inability to acknowledge that his healing came from God. In demonstrating his wealth to the Babylonians, he put his kingdom at risk, since those same Babylonians would eventually come as conquerors because they knew just how wealthy Judah was.
The chapter ends with an emphasis on the importance of humility before God and recognizing Him as the source of all blessings. It also signals a warning about the consequences of pride and the dangers of being seduced by worldly riches or powers. This forms a vital narrative in biblical teachings.