Chapters 16 to 20 of 2 Kings in the King James Bible mark a significant period in the history of Israel and Judah. These chapters introduce us to the reigns of key kings, including Ahaz, Hezekiah, and the prophet Isaiah. We witness the decline of faithfulness among the rulers of Israel and Judah, God’s judgment, and moments of divine intervention that deliver the nation from its enemies. Through these narratives, God’s continued guidance and protection shine, even as His people face challenges.
2 Kings 16: Ahaz’s Reign and Judah’s Spiritual Decline
Ahaz, the son of Jotham, becomes the king of Judah, but his reign marks a period of deep spiritual decline.
- Ahaz’s Idolatry: Unlike his predecessors who followed the ways of God, Ahaz is described as doing “not that which was right in the sight of the Lord.” He adopts the sinful practices of the surrounding nations, including offering sacrifices to idols and even sacrificing one of his own sons. His decision to erect high places for idol worship leads Judah into greater apostasy.
- Alliance with Assyria: Facing threats from Rezin, the king of Syria, and Pekah, the king of Israel, Ahaz seeks help from Tiglath-pileser, the king of Assyria. Instead of relying on God, Ahaz sends gold and silver from the house of the Lord as tribute to Assyria. This alliance results in Assyria conquering Syria, but Judah remains spiritually weakened.
- Altering the Temple: After visiting Tiglath-pileser in Damascus, Ahaz is impressed by an altar he sees there. He orders Urijah, the priest, to construct a similar altar in the temple in Jerusalem. Ahaz then makes further alterations to the temple, placing his new altar at the center of worship, disregarding the sacred design established by God. This chapter highlights Ahaz’s spiritual corruption, where political survival is prioritized over fidelity to the Lord.
2 Kings 17: The Fall of Israel
Chapter 17 marks a crucial turning point, with the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel. This event is pivotal in the biblical narrative, showcasing the consequences of long-standing disobedience.
- The Sins of Israel: Under the reign of Hoshea, the last king of Israel, the northern kingdom continues its practice of idol worship. Despite warnings from prophets like Elijah and Elisha, the people persist in worshipping false gods and reject God’s covenant. The chapter emphasizes that their downfall is not a result of mere politics but a consequence of turning away from God’s commandments.
- The Assyrian Conquest: In response to Israel’s rebellion, Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria, lays siege to Samaria, Israel’s capital. After three years, the city falls, and the people of Israel are taken captive and exiled to Assyria. This exile marks the end of the northern kingdom. The Bible explains this judgment as a result of Israel’s sins, including idol worship and rejecting God’s law.
- The Samaritans: After the exile of the Israelites, the Assyrians resettle the land with people from other nations, who bring their own gods and customs. When these new settlers face divine judgment through plagues and attacks by wild animals, they request priests to teach them about the God of the land. However, the result is a syncretistic form of worship where they fear the Lord but continue to serve their own gods. This account sets the stage for the later enmity between the Jews and Samaritans in the New Testament.
2 Kings 18: Hezekiah’s Reforms and the Assyrian Threat
Chapter 18 shifts focus to Hezekiah, the king of Judah, whose reign marks a return to faithfulness and trust in God.
- Hezekiah’s Faithfulness: Unlike his father Ahaz, Hezekiah is a righteous king who “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord.” He removes the high places, destroys the idols, and even breaks the brazen serpent that Moses had made, because the people had begun to worship it. Hezekiah’s trust in the Lord sets him apart from the other kings of Judah and Israel.
- The Assyrian Threat: Despite Hezekiah’s reforms, Judah faces a significant threat from Sennacherib, the king of Assyria. Sennacherib conquers many of Judah’s cities and demands tribute from Hezekiah. In response, Hezekiah sends gold and silver from the temple, but this act of appeasement does not stop Sennacherib’s advance.
- The Taunts of Rabshakeh: Sennacherib sends his official, Rabshakeh, to Jerusalem, where he mocks Hezekiah’s faith in God and urges the people to surrender. Rabshakeh questions Hezekiah’s reliance on the Lord, comparing God to the powerless gods of other nations. However, Hezekiah’s refusal to surrender reflects his unwavering trust in God’s deliverance.
2 Kings 19: God’s Deliverance of Jerusalem
Chapter 19 recounts one of the most dramatic deliverances in Israel’s history, where God directly intervenes to save Judah from the Assyrian threat.
- Hezekiah’s Prayer: Faced with Sennacherib’s threats, Hezekiah goes to the temple and prays earnestly to the Lord. He acknowledges God’s sovereignty and asks for deliverance so that all the nations will know that the Lord alone is God.
- Isaiah’s Prophecy: In response to Hezekiah’s prayer, the prophet Isaiah sends a message of hope, assuring the king that God will protect Jerusalem. Isaiah prophesies that Sennacherib will not enter the city, and that God will send him back the way he came.
- The Angel of the Lord: That night, the angel of the Lord strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in their camp. Sennacherib is forced to retreat to Assyria, where he is later assassinated by his own sons while worshipping in the temple of his god. This miraculous deliverance underscores the power of God to protect His people when they trust in Him.
2 Kings 20: Hezekiah’s Illness and the Babylonian Envoys
Chapter 20 covers two important events in Hezekiah’s later years: his miraculous recovery from illness and his interaction with Babylonian envoys.
- Hezekiah’s Illness: Hezekiah falls gravely ill, and Isaiah informs him that he will die. However, Hezekiah prays fervently to the Lord, reminding God of his faithfulness. In response, God grants Hezekiah an additional fifteen years of life. To confirm this promise, God performs a miraculous sign by causing the shadow on the sundial to move backward ten degrees.
- The Babylonian Envoys: After Hezekiah’s recovery, envoys from Babylon visit him, ostensibly to congratulate him on his health. However, Hezekiah foolishly shows them all the treasures of his kingdom. Isaiah warns him that this act of pride will lead to future consequences, as Babylon will one day carry away all the treasures of Judah, and even Hezekiah’s descendants will be taken captive.
Conclusion: Faith, Failure, and Divine Intervention
Chapters 16–20 of 2 Kings illustrate the contrast between human weakness and God’s unwavering faithfulness. Kings like Ahaz lead their nations into idolatry and ruin, while Hezekiah stands as a beacon of faith, trusting in God even when faced with overwhelming odds. Through Hezekiah’s reign, we see the importance of prayer, the power of God’s intervention, and the consequences of pride. These chapters remind us that, even in the darkest moments, God remains in control, guiding history and protecting His people when they turn to Him in faith.
