What happened when Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed and cried to heaven?

When Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah prayed and cried to heaven, God answered in a very direct way. He sent an angel who went into the camp of the Assyrian king Sennacherib and cut off the mighty warriors, leaders, and captains. The army was broken without Judah lifting a sword. Sennacherib went home in shame and was later killed by his own sons in the house of his god. This shows that God hears desperate prayer and can bring down proud enemies in His own way and time.

How did the Lord save Hezekiah and Jerusalem from Sennacherib?

The Lord saved Hezekiah and Jerusalem by acting for them when they had no strength to win on their own. After Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed, God sent an angel who struck down the powerful men and commanders in the Assyrian camp. This sudden loss forced Sennacherib to retreat to his land in shame. The text says clearly that the Lord saved Hezekiah and the people from Sennacherib and from others, and that He guided them on every side, like a shepherd keeping His people safe.

Why did Hezekiah’s heart become proud after God helped him?

Hezekiah’s heart became proud after many good things came to him. God had saved Jerusalem, healed him from a sickness that could have killed him, given him a clear sign, and then blessed him with very great riches and honour. People from many nations brought gifts. Instead of giving back thanks that matched what God had done, his heart was lifted up. He started to glory in what he had, especially when important visitors came from Babylon. This shows how easy it is for blessings to feed pride when we forget that everything comes from God.

What does it mean that God left Hezekiah to try him?

When it says God left Hezekiah to try him, it does not mean God stopped being in control. It means God allowed Hezekiah to stand without special help for a moment so that what was in his heart would come out. This happened in the matter of the ambassadors from Babylon, who came to ask about the wonder God had done. Left to himself, Hezekiah showed off his treasures and honour in a proud way. Through this test, the hidden pride in his heart was revealed, both to himself and to others, as a warning about human weakness.

How did Hezekiah respond after his pride and what was the result?

After his pride was exposed, Hezekiah did not stay stubborn. The passage says he humbled himself for the pride of his heart, and the people of Jerusalem humbled themselves with him. Though we are not told the exact actions, it likely involved real sorrow, confession, and turning back to God. Because of this change of heart, the wrath of the Lord did not come on them in Hezekiah’s days. God delayed the judgment that had been warned, showing that when people truly humble themselves, He is ready to show mercy instead of sending immediate disaster.

What does this passage teach about God’s character and human pride?

This passage shows that God listens to prayer, protects His people, and rules over kings and armies. He can defeat a huge force with a single angel and bring a proud king home in shame. At the same time, it shows that even a faithful king like Hezekiah can fall into pride when blessed with success, health, and wealth. God takes pride seriously and may test people by stepping back so their true heart is seen. Yet when they humble themselves, He holds back wrath and shows kindness, joining holiness and mercy together.

Why are Hezekiah’s riches, building projects, and the Gihon watercourse mentioned?

Hezekiah’s riches and projects are mentioned to show how greatly God had blessed him in practical ways. He had treasuries for silver, gold, jewels, spices, shields, and other precious things. He built storehouses for grain, wine, and oil, and stalls and sheepfolds for many animals. He also redirected the upper watercourse of Gihon to the west side of the city of David, improving the water supply and safety of Jerusalem. All this is summed up by saying that God gave him very much substance and that he prospered in all his works.

What was the situation with the ambassadors of Babylon and why was it a problem?

Princes of Babylon sent ambassadors to Hezekiah to ask about the wonder done in the land, which points to the sign God gave when Hezekiah was healed. They were curious and probably wanted friendly ties. When they came, Hezekiah showed them his treasures and wealth. In that moment, God left him to test him, and his pride came out. He seemed more eager to impress them with his riches than to honour God who had given everything. This later brought a warning of future trouble for his kingdom, showing how pride in front of others can lead to loss.

How can the story of Hezekiah’s pride and repentance guide believers today?

Hezekiah’s story reminds believers that answered prayer and success do not remove the danger of pride. God may bless with help, healing, money, or honour, yet the heart can still become lifted up. This passage encourages believers to keep giving thanks, to remember that every good thing is from God, and to be wary when others praise or admire them. It also gives hope: when Hezekiah and the people humbled themselves, God delayed judgment. So when believers see pride in themselves, they should quickly confess it and seek God’s mercy, trusting that He responds to a lowly heart.

2Chr.32.20

2 Chronicles 32:20

KJV

And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.

Jerusalem Delivered from the Assyrians

Hezekiah’s Prayer Is Answered

20 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.

¶ And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.

Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.

And many brought gifts unto the Lord to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.

¶ In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.

But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

¶ And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;

Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.

Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.

This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

¶ Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

¶ And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

Cross References

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