The Extended Life of Hezekiah

INTRODUCTION: Hezekiah was a great king; but, as with David, his greatness was marred by a time of failure. In this chapter, we see a great miracle performed on his behalf in giving him fifteen additional years of life. But this blessing led to his downfall as he was lifted up with pride. In his haughtiness he showed off his kingdom and its riches to the very people who would take Judah captive nearly a hundred years later.

1. HEZEKIAHS PRAYER FOR LIFE (2 Kings 20:1-3)
1. Report of Impending Death (2 Kings 20:1)
1. Hezekiahs sickness unto death
2. Isaiahs word from the Lord
1. Set thine house in order (compare with Ahithophel in 2 Samuel 17:23).
2. Thou shalt die and not live.
2. Prayer for Extended Life (2 Kings 20:2-3)
1. His actions (2 Kings 20:2)
1. He turned his face to the wall (contrast Ahabs actions in 1 Kings 21:4).
2. He prayed unto the Lord.
2. His prayer (2 Kings 20:3)
1. He beseeched God to remember.
2. He spoke of how he had walked before God.
1. In truth
2. With a perfect heart
3. He spoke of how he had done good in the sight of the Lord.
4. He wept sore before the Lord (Psalm 6:6; Psalm 39:12; Jeremiah 14:17; Lamentations 2:19; Lamentations 3:48-50).
2. HEZEKIAHS GIFT OF LIFE (2 Kings 20:4-7)
1. Response to Hezekiahs Prayer (2 Kings 20:4-5)
1. The speed of Gods answer (2 Kings 20:4-5)
1. Before Isaiah had left the middle court (2 Kings 20:4)
2. The word of the Lord came to him (2 Kings 20:4-5).
1. Turn again (2 Kings 20:5).
2. Tell Hezekiah the captain of Gods people (2 Kings 20:5).
2. The answer to Hezekiahs prayer (2 Kings 20:5)
1. I have heard thy prayer.
2. I have seen thy tears.
3. I will heal thee. Note: On the third day, Hezekiah will be well enough to go to the house of the Lord.
2. Promise of Additional Blessings (2 Kings 20:6)
1. Fifteen years added to his life
2. Deliverance from the king of Assyria
3. Defense of the city of Jerusalem by God
3. Provision of External Means of Healing (2 Kings 20:7)
1. Isaiah laid a lump of figs on the boil.
2. Hezekiah recovered.
3. HEZEKIAHS SIGN OF CONFIRMATION (2 Kings 20:8-11)
1. Request for a Sign (2 Kings 20:8)
1. That the Lord will heal him
2. That he will go up to the temple on the third day
2. Offer of a Choice of Signs (2 Kings 20:9)
1. The shadow to go forward (or down) ten degrees
2. The shadow to go back ten degrees
3. Choice of the Harder Sign (2 Kings 20:10)
1. The shadow going down (or forward) was too easy.
2. Hezekiah chose the shadow going backward.
4. Granting of the Chosen Sign (2 Kings 20:11)
1. Isaiah prayed unto the Lord.
2. The shadow went back ten degrees.
3. On the sundial of Ahaz; Note: it is interesting that God would use the sundial of Ahaz to show this great sign when it was Ahaz who refused to ask for a sign when he was asked to do so (Isaiah 7:10-14).
4. HEZEKIAHS VISIT FROM BABYLON (2 Kings 20:12-19)
1. Ambassadors from Babylon (2 Kings 20:12)
1. They brought letters and presents.
2. They had heard of Hezekiahs sickness.
2. Total Revealing of Possessions (2 Kings 20:13)
1. Hezekiah hearkened unto them; Note: evidently, they asked to see the glories of Jerusalem.
2. Hezekiah showed them all things.
3. Inquiry from the Prophet Isaiah (2 Kings 20:14-15)
1. What did these men say? (2 Kings 20:14)
2. From where did these men come? (2 Kings 20:14)
3. What have these men seen? (2 Kings 20:15)
4. Word of the Lord from Isaiah (2 Kings 20:16-18)
1. All the things of Judah will be carried into Babylon (2 Kings 20:17).
2. Your descendents will be made eunuchs in Babylon (2 Kings 20:18).
5. Attitude of Resignation in Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:19)
1. The word of the Lord is good.
2. If there is peace and truth in my days (compare with the attitude of Eli when told of the destruction of his line in 1 Samuel 3:16-18)
3. The parallel passage in 2 Chronicles 32 makes some important points:
1. Concerning the Babylonian ambassadors, the Lord left Hezekiah to try him and see what was in his heart (2 Chronicles 32:31).
2. But Hezekiah humbled himself because of his pride of heart and God withheld His wrath during his days (2 Chronicles 32:26).
5. HEZEKIAHS FURTHER ACTS AND DEATH (2 Kings 20:20-21)
1. The Acts of Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:20; 2 Chronicles 32:27-30)
1. His might
2. His building projects
2. The Death of Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:21)
1. Hezekiah slept with his fathers.
2. Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

CONCLUSION: The blessing of answered prayer turns out to be the downfall of Hezekiah’s life. His life is extended, but the strength of his pride weakens the kingdom.