Hezekiah's Prayer

Illustration of Hezekiah's Prayer
Era
Divided Kingdom
Date
c. 701 BC โ‰ˆ Approximate
Reference
2 Kings 19:14-19

During the Assyrian invasion of Judah around 701 BC, King Hezekiah confronted an existential threat as Sennacherib's forces besieged Jerusalem and mocked the God of Israel. Hezekiah responded by entering the temple to pray, spreading the enemy's threatening letter before the Lord and seeking divine deliverance based on God's covenant promises. God answered through the prophet Isaiah, affirming that the city would be spared, and an angel subsequently struck down 185,000 Assyrian troops in a single night, forcing Sennacherib's retreat. This account, preserved in Isaiah 37, 2 Kings 19, and 2 Chronicles 32, illustrates the power of earnest prayer and God's faithfulness in protecting those who trust Him amid overwhelming odds.

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Did You Know?

1

Hezekiah responded by entering the temple to pray, spreading the enemy's threatening letter before the Lord and seeking divine deliverance based on God's covenant promises.

2

God answered through the prophet Isaiah, affirming that the city would be spared, and an angel subsequently struck down 185,000 Assyrian troops in a single night, forcing Sennacherib's retreat.

3

This event is dated to approximately c. 701 BC in biblical chronology.

4

This took place at or near Jerusalem.

Key Passage

Hezekiah's Prayer

2 Kings 19:14-19

A14nd Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. 16 LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. 17 Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, 18 And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of menโ€™s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. 19 Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.

Read full chapter: 2 Kings 19 โ†’

Meanwhile in the World

Assyria becomes the world's first great empire, conquering from Egypt to Persia. Greece emerges from its Dark Age - the Olympic Games begin (776 BC). Rome is founded (753 BC). Carthage is established. This is the height of Assyrian military power and the rise of Greek city-states.

When: c. 930 - 586 BC

Key Civilizations: Neo-Assyrian Empire, Archaic Greece

Biblical Parallels: 1 Kings 12-22 , 2 Kings 1-25 , Isaiah 1-66

Explore Related

Characters 2

Hezekiah Hezekiah served as a righteous king of Judah in the late eighth century BC, following the Assyrian conquestโ€ฆ Isaiah Isaiah was an 8th-century BCE prophet who ministered in the kingdom of Judah during a time of politicalโ€ฆ

Places 1

Jerusalem Jerusalem stands as the ancient capital of Israel and holds profound religious importance as a holy cityโ€ฆ

Prayers 1

Hezekiah's Prayer for Deliverance With the massive Assyrian army surrounding Jerusalem and King Sennacherib's taunting letters spread beforeโ€ฆ