Two Kings, part 2

How different is the story of Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz. He is described as one who “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done” (2 Kings 18:3). Not only this, but “he removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it” (18:4).

What was it that made this son, Hezekiah, respond so differently from his father, Ahaz? One was “unlike his father David” and the other was “just as his father David.”  If David was the ideal king of Israel, we know which king was on the right track. What was it in Ahaz that made Hezekiah live for the LORD God and not the gods of Assyria?

Was it that only four years in Hezekiah’s twenty-nine year reign Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria, the capital of the adjoining northern kingdom of Israel, and took it and its people after three painful years of siege? Did Hezekiah see the fruitlessness of seeking help from Assyria in his northern neighbors and distant cousins? Did he encounter the endless appetite of the Assyrian kings when Sennacherib attacked his fortified cities?

Whatever it was, Hezekiah, the king of a small country with a small army, took a stand against Assyria and its king, Sennacherib, rooted in his faith in the LORD God. In response to the continued onslaught of Assyria, Hezekiah chose to turn to the LORD God.

First, Hezekiah turns to God by seeking advice from a godly person, the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah offers a message of consolation and promised deliverance for Hezekiah and Judah. Hezekiah is instructed not to fear Assyria because God will deliver him and his people from the threats of this greater nation and army.

But Sennacherib continues his intimidation tactics, sending a threatening letter to Hezekiah, even as Sennacherib’s army pulls back to deal with other problems. This time, Hezekiah turns directly to God in prayer, going “up to the Temple of the LORD and spread it [the letter of Sennacherib] out before the LORD” (2 Kings 19:14). Hezekiah prays to the LORD God, acknowledging God’s power (19:15), asking Him to hear Sennacherib’s threats (19:16), admitting that reality points to those threats becoming true (19:17), pointing out that the LORD God is different than the gods of other nations (19:18), and asking God to deliver Jerusalem for His sake (19:19).

In response to Hezekiah’s prayer, God sends the prophet Isaiah to communicate the powerful deliverance of God that looms on the horizon. “I will defend this city [Jerusalem] and save it, for My sake and for the sake of David My servant” (19:34).

And so God does deliver. 185,000 Assyrians die in the night, spreading fear throughout their entire camp. The army flees. After returning to Nineveh, the sons of Sennacherib kill him while he is worshipping in the temple of Nisrok, his god. So much for the protection of these supposed gods other than the LORD.

Comparing Ahaz and Hezekiah we have two very different kings and two very different outcomes. Ahaz turns to Assyria and accommodates to their ways and religion. Hezekiah turns to the Temple of God and reaches out to the LORD God.

Are we like Hezekiah? When things are easy do we turn to the LORD God? When things are difficult and there is a risk to doing so, do we still take a stand for God in our lives? Do we seek help from Him or from other sources?

The LORD delights in those who fear Him,
who put their hope in His unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:11)