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King Hezekiah: His Kingdom

by | May 30, 2023 | Bible Brief

(Character Study, part 1)

 

INTRODUCTION:

      When we think of King Hezekiah, it may be said: (1) He was a rare character; (2) He was an honorable character; and (3) He was a blessed character.  His name means “Jehovah is Strength.”

     In Israel’s darkest hour, God raised up King Hezekiah as a Divine illustration of what the Davidic Kingdom used to be, what it ought to be, and would become if His people would only keep the conditions of the covenants.

     There are many lessons to be learned from a study of Godly Kings. In this study we want to consider (1) The true destiny and character of the Davidic Kingdom; (2) The mechanics and principles of a spiritual revival or growth; and (3) what a believer should or should not do in a time of crisis.

     King Hezekiah was the 13th King of the Southern Kingdom. He was a great King who ought to provoke us to greatness also.

 

KING HEZEKIAH’S KINGDOM

Politically:

  1. He inherited a Kingdom from his father, Ahaz, who was a vassel to the Assyrian Empire.
  2. During the early years of his reign, King Shalamanser took most of the Northern Kingdom captive (2 Kgs. 18:9-12).
  3. As the yoke of bondage grew tighter around the Southern Kingdom, he must have attempted to strengthen himself against King Sennacherib, now the king of Assyria (2 Kgs. 18:14).
  4. This revolt of King Hezekiah cost his Kingdom dearly in terms of its riches and glory (2 Kgs. 18:15-16).
  5. The increased tribute apparently was not enough for the King of Assyria, or he reasoned that the southern Kingdom was ready for the kill, because he returned and called for an unconditional surrender.
  6. King Hezekiah prayerfully entreats the Lord concerning this impending military invasion (2 Kgs. 19:1-5, 14-19).
  7. The Lord graciously intervenes (2 Kgs. 19:34) by (1) Killing 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (2 Kgs. 19:35); (2) Promising the Assyrians would not come into the city (2 Kgs. 19:32-33); (3) Promising the Assyrians would return to their own land (2 Kgs. 19:7, 33); and (4) Promising the Southern Kingdom a measure of peace and prosperity (2 Kgs. 19:29-30).
  8. The Kingdom of Hezekiah was marked by great prosperity (2 Chron. 32:27-29).
  9. King Hezekiah reigned for 29 years.
  10. King Hezekiah died at the age of 56 and received great honor at his death (2 Chron. 32:33).
  11. King Hezekiah was succeeded in the Kingdom by his son, King Manasseh (2 Kgs. 21:1).

 

Religiously:

     King Hezekiah also inherited a religiously wicked and corrupt Kingdom. His father, King Ahaz,, had filled the temple with “filthiness” (2 Chron. 29:5) and “uncleanness” (2 Chron. 29:16).

     According to 2 Chronicles 29:6-7, Ahaz had been responsible for the spiritual decline in the Kingdom because he had: (1) “Shut up the doors” – this took away the opportunity of worship; (2) “Put out the lamps” – this took away Bible Doctrine’; (3) “No burned incense” – no prayer; (4) “No burned offerings” – this resulted in no worship or fellowship with God.

There had been no observance of the Passover for 260 years (2 Chron. 30:5, 26). King Hezekiah apparently came by his religious convictions through the teachings of his mother, Abijah, the  daughter of Zechariah (2 Chron. 30:5, 26). Zechariah is said to have had “understanding in the things of God” (2 Chron. 26:5).

     King Hezekiah was apparently strengthened spiritually by the ministry of such prophets as: Hosea (Hos. 1:1); Micah (Jer. 26:18, Mic. 1:1); Isa. (2 Chron. 32:20). Spiritual revival prevailed throughout the long 29-year reign of King Hezekiah (2 Chron. 31:20-21).

 

Prophetically:

     Everything about the Davidic Kingdom (past, present, and future to Hezekiah’s day) is based upon the Covenant Promises (Deut. 4:29-31; Lev. 26:40-42). (1) Abrahamic (Gen. 12:1-3, 7; 13:14-17; Gen. 15:18-20; 17:1-8); (2) Davidic (2 Sam. 7:12-16); (3) Palestinian (Deut. 30:1-8); (4)  New (Isa. 32:15; 61:1; Ezek. 37:26; 39:29; Hos. 2:18; Joel 2:28-29).

     Many of the Kingdom Promises have had a partial fulfillment, but the fulfillment of these Covenant Promises await yet a future date (Deut. 4:30). Therefore, there is a special place for the life and ministry of King Hezekiah in helping us to understand the events of the Book of Acts and the events that will transpire in the Tribulation period and Kingdom.

     Please note the following comparisons:

The call to national repentance

  1. King Hezekiah’s call: 2 Chron. 31:1-9
  2. John the Baptist’s call: Mt. 3:2
  3. Jesus’ call: Mt. 4:17
  4. Peter’s call: Acts 2:38-39; 3:19

The Progressive nature of the Call to the Kingdom

  1. Hezekiah’s call: Jerusalem and Judea: 2 Chron. 29:3-11;

Samaria: 2 Chron. 30:1, 6, 10; Strangers: 2 Chron. 30:25

  1. The Great Kingdom Commission: Acts 1:8…Jerusalem and

Judea, Samaria, uttermost

  1. The Apostles ‘ call: Jerusalem and Judea: Acts 1-7; Samaria:

Acts 8; Strangers: Acts 10

The rejection of the Call to the Kingdom

  1. Rejection in Hezekiah’s day: 2 Chron. 30:10
  2. Rejection in Peter’s day: Acts 7:54-58; 13:465; 18:6; 28:28
  3. Opposition to the Kingdom: In Hezekiah’s day: Sennacherib (2 Chron. 32:1-2); The Great Tribulation: Antichrist: Rev. 13:7
  4. The slaughter of the Kingdom enemies: Hezekiah’s day:

185,000 by the “angel of the Lord: 2 Kgs. 19:35; In the Great

Tribulation: “Blood unto horses bridles without the city”:

Rev. 14:20, cf., 2 Thess. 2:8

Please note that the conditions for Kingdom blessings were met in King Hezekiah’s day…even as thjey must be met by the Jews in the future in order to enjoy the blessings of the Messianic Kingdom.

  1. Teaching of the Word: 2 Chron. 29:15; 30:12, 16, 18; 31:3
  2. Prayer: 2 Chron. 32:20, cf., 2 Chron. 7:14; Isa. 63L11-64:1
  3. Water baptism: 2 Chron. 29:15; 30:17-18.
  4. Law observance: 2 Chron. 30:16
  5. Giving: 2 Chron. 31:3-19, cf., Isa. 58:1-12