2 Kings Chapter 20

What is the meaning of 2 Kings 20?

Introduction to 2 Kings 20

2 Kings 20 presents a pivotal moment in Jewish history through the dramatic account of King Hezekiah’s life-threatening illness, miraculous healing, and subsequent interactions with Babylonian envoys. This chapter serves as a profound illustration of divine mercy and human frailty, while simultaneously foreshadowing the future Babylonian exile. The narrative weaves together themes of prayer, divine intervention, and the consequences of pride, offering timeless lessons about faith, humility, and the sovereignty of God.

Context of 2 Kings 20

This chapter follows immediately after Hezekiah’s greatest triumph – the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian army under Sennacherib, as recorded in 2 Kings 19. The timing is significant as it shows how quickly circumstances can change, even for the most faithful servants of God. The illness strikes Hezekiah at the height of his success, perhaps as a divine check against pride.

Within the larger biblical narrative, this chapter serves multiple purposes. It completes the personal story of Hezekiah, one of Judah’s most righteous kings, while also setting the stage for the eventual Babylonian exile. The chapter’s placement between Assyria’s defeat and the later Babylonian invasion creates a bridge between these two major periods in Jewish history. Furthermore, it parallels similar accounts in Isaiah 38-39, providing additional historical verification and theological insight.

The chapter also functions as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and self-reliance, themes that resonate throughout Scripture. It demonstrates how even godly leaders can make serious mistakes when they lose sight of their dependence on יהוה.

Ancient Key Word Study

• חָלָה (chalah) – “became ill”: This word implies more than just physical sickness; it suggests a severe, life-threatening condition. The root connects to the concept of weakness and vulnerability, emphasizing human frailty before God.
• מָוֶת (maveth) – “death”: Used in the phrase “you shall die,” this term carries theological weight beyond mere physical death, often implying separation from God’s presence and purpose.
• תְפִלָּה (tefillah) – “prayer”: More than just verbal communication, this word encompasses the entire concept of standing before God in humble dependence. It’s the same root used in regular Jewish prayer services.
• רָפָא (rapha) – “heal”: A divine attribute of God as healer, this verb appears in God’s promise to heal Hezekiah. It’s the same word used in Exodus 15:26 where God reveals Himself as “יהוה Rophe” (The Lord who heals).
• אוֹת (oth) – “sign”: This word signifies more than just a miracle; it represents a divine confirmation or seal of God’s promise. It appears in crucial covenant moments throughout Scripture.
• שָׁלוֹם (shalom) – “peace”: Used in verse 19, this term encompasses complete wellbeing – physical, spiritual, and national security. Its usage here carries ironic undertones given the coming exile.
• גַּאֲוָה (ga’avah) – “pride”: Though not explicitly used, this concept underlies Hezekiah’s showing of his treasures. The root connects to elevation and self-exaltation.
• בָּבֶל (babel) – “Babylon”: More than just a place name, it represents worldly power and opposition to God’s kingdom throughout Scripture.
• אוֹצָר (otsar) – “treasure”: This term includes both material wealth and spiritual heritage, making Hezekiah’s display of the temple treasures particularly egregious.

Compare & Contrast

• Verse 1’s pronouncement “Set your house in order, for you shall die” uses the emphatic מוּת תָּמוּת (moth tamuth), a double form emphasizing certainty. However, this apparent certainty was conditional upon Hezekiah’s response, revealing God’s sovereignty working alongside human free will.
• The phrase “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears” employs two sensory verbs (שָׁמַעְתִּי and רָאִיתִי) to emphasize God’s complete awareness and response to genuine repentance.
• Verse 8’s request for a sign could be seen as lack of faith, yet unlike Ahaz (Isaiah 7:12), Hezekiah’s request demonstrates proper engagement with divine promises.
• The sun’s shadow moving backwards ten steps uses specific Hebrew astronomical terminology, suggesting this was an actual observable phenomenon rather than mere poetic description.
• Verse 13’s description of Hezekiah showing his treasures uses the verb וַיִּשְׁמַע (vayishma – “and he heard”) about the Babylonian envoys, implying they came with ulterior motives beyond mere diplomatic courtesy.
• The prophetic announcement of exile uses the emphatic יִשָּׂאוּ (yissau – “carried away”), the same word used for Daniel’s exile, creating a verbal link between prophecy and fulfillment.

2 Kings 20 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several layers of prophetic and theological significance often overlooked in casual reading. The timing of Hezekiah’s illness, according to rabbinic tradition, coincided with the feast of Passover, suggesting a connection between his healing and the greater redemptive narrative of Israel. The Talmud (Berachot 10a) notes that Hezekiah’s prayer was offered facing the Temple wall, establishing a precedent for directional prayer that would become crucial during the exile.

The miraculous sign of the sun’s shadow moving backwards has profound theological implications. Rabbi David Kimchi (Radak) connects this to the creation account, suggesting that just as God established the celestial bodies as signs (Genesis 1:14), He can also manipulate them to confirm His promises. This demonstrates God’s continuing sovereign control over creation.

The number fifteen appears significantly – both in the years added to Hezekiah’s life and the steps the shadow retreated. This mirrors the fifteen Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134), which tradition associates with the fifteen steps of the Temple. This numerical parallel suggests a spiritual ascent or elevation in Hezekiah’s relationship with God.

The visit of the Babylonian envoys presents a subtle warning about the dangers of spiritual pride. The Midrash suggests that Hezekiah’s display of the Temple treasures wasn’t merely showing material wealth but attempting to demonstrate God’s favor – ironically leading to the opposite effect.

2 Kings 20 Connections to Yeshua

Hezekiah’s healing prefigures several aspects of the Messiah’s ministry. The king’s illness unto death and subsequent restoration mirrors Yeshua’s death and resurrection, both demonstrating God’s power over death. The fig poultice used in Hezekiah’s healing recalls Yeshua’s cursing of the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14), both serving as prophetic signs about Israel’s spiritual condition.

The chapter’s themes of divine healing and extension of life find their ultimate fulfillment in Yeshua, who not only healed the sick but conquered death itself. Just as Hezekiah’s healing was accompanied by a miraculous sign involving time, Yeshua’s resurrection occurred on the third day, demonstrating God’s authority over both time and death.

2 Kings 20 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages. The theme of prayer changing God’s declared intention echoes Moses’ intercession for Israel (Exodus 32:14) and Jonah’s message to Nineveh. The sign of the sun’s shadow moving backwards recalls Joshua’s long day (Joshua 10:12-14), both demonstrating God’s sovereignty over creation.

Hezekiah’s pride in showing the Temple treasures parallels David’s census (2 Samuel 24), both actions leading to national consequences. The prophecy of exile connects to earlier warnings (Deuteronomy 28:49-57) and finds fulfillment in Daniel’s account.

2 Kings 20 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our responses to both crisis and success. Hezekiah’s immediate turn to prayer in crisis exemplifies the proper response to life’s challenges. His example encourages us to approach God with honest emotion and genuine faith, knowing that He hears our prayers and sees our tears.

However, the chapter also warns against the subtle danger of spiritual pride. Success and divine blessing can sometimes lead to self-reliance and showing off God’s gifts rather than the Giver. We must guard against using God’s blessings to impress others or gain worldly advantage.

Did You Know

• Archaeological evidence from the Broad Wall in Jerusalem correlates with Hezekiah’s preparations against Assyria, providing historical context for this period.
• The sundial mentioned in the text was likely a stepped structure, similar to those found in ancient Mesopotamian cultures, making the sign particularly meaningful to the Babylonian envoys.
• Jewish tradition maintains that Hezekiah’s illness was directly connected to his failure to marry and produce an heir, highlighting the importance of continuing David’s line.
• The fig poultice treatment mentioned has historical basis – ancient medical texts from Mesopotamia document the use of figs for treating boils and skin conditions.
• The Babylonian envoys’ visit coincided with Babylon’s first attempts to rebel against Assyria, making their diplomatic mission politically significant.
• Merodach-Baladan, mentioned as sending the envoys, is historically documented as leading several rebellions against Assyrian dominance.
• The Temple treasures shown to the envoys included items dating back to Solomon’s time, making their eventual capture by Nebuchadnezzar particularly significant.
• According to rabbinic tradition, Isaiah’s harsh prophecy about the exile was delivered publicly to ensure accountability and prevent misinterpretation.
• The fifteen-year extension of Hezekiah’s life allowed for the birth and early years of Manasseh, whose reign would later lead Judah into severe idolatry.