Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 20

Hezekiah tries to impress the officials from Babylon

2 Kings 20:12

Even in some distant countries, the people heard about the three wonderful things that God had done for Hezekiah. They heard how God had brought about a terrible defeat for Assyria’s army, without even a battle (19:35-36). They heard that God had cured Hezekiah from an extremely serious illness (20:1-7). They also heard how the shadow moved back (2 Kings 20:8-11; 2 Chronicles 32:31). So, it was clear to them that Hezekiah’s God had power over armies, illnesses and even the movement of the sun.

In one of those distant countries, Babylon, the king wanted to know about this power. He sent officials on a journey of about 1000 miles (1600 kilometres) to Jerusalem to ask about this. He too wanted to defeat the powerful nation called Assyria, which ruled all the countries between Babylon and Judah.

God used this situation to test Hezekiah’s true attitudes (2 Chronicles 32:31). Hezekiah had promised that he would never allow himself to become proud (Isaiah 38:15). Instead, he would constantly be grateful for all that God had done for him. However, Hezekiah had become very rich. So, God wanted to see whether, in this situation, Hezekiah would still give all the honour to God.

It pleased Hezekiah greatly that the officials of such a distant country had come to see him. They asked him about his power, and he wanted to impress them. He hoped that Babylon and Judah might support each other in some future war. So, he wanted them to believe that he was a very great king. He seemed to forget God’s kindness to him; instead, he felt proud of his wealth (2 Chronicles 32:25-26). Hezekiah wanted these important officials to praise him – however, by that wrong attitude, Hezekiah was taking away from God the honour that God alone deserves.

Next part: Hezekiah proudly shows his great wealth (2 Kings 20:13)

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