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Portrait of HezekiahPortrait · Hezekiah

Kings & Prophets · Old Testament

Hezekiah

Faithful King Who Trusted God Under Siege

Name meaning
The LORD strengthens
Name origin
Hebrew: חִזְקִיָּהוּ (Chizkiyahu), meaning "the LORD strengthens"

Quick facts

Occupation
  • King of Judah
Birthplace
Jerusalem
Modern-day location
Jerusalem.
Family
  • Son of King Ahaz and Abijah
  • Father of Manasseh
  • Husband of Hephzibah
First mention
2 Kings 16:20; 18:1-3
Last mention
2 Kings 20:20-21; 2 Chronicles 32:32-33
Key artifacts
  • Tunnel (Siloam) and pool
  • Assyrian siege wall
  • Sundial of Ahaz

Key verses

  • “He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah.”

    2 Kings 18:5

  • “O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth.”

    2 Kings 19:15

  • “I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee.”

    2 Kings 20:5

Biography

Early Life

Hezekiah became king at 25 and immediately reversed his father's idolatry, reopening the Temple and restoring worship.

Defining Biblical Moments

Hezekiah resisted Assyria under Sennacherib, prayed when Jerusalem was surrounded, and saw the Assyrian army struck down. He fell mortally ill, prayed for healing, and was granted fifteen more years, during which he unwisely displayed treasures to Babylonian envoys.

Strengths

Hezekiah is noted for trust in God, prayerfulness, and vigorous reform and infrastructure work, including the water tunnel still visible today.

Weaknesses & Lessons

Pride after healing and openness to Babylon foreshadowed future exile, warning that faithfulness must continue after deliverance.

Life Lessons for Today

Prayer in crisis and practical preparation go together; gratitude after deliverance requires continued humility and foresight.

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Hezekiah appears in Heroes, Kings & Prophets of the Old Testament, alongside more profiles like this one.

Page #51 in Heroes, Kings & Prophets of the Old Testament

Heroes, Kings & Prophets of the Old Testament front cover

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