2 Kings

2 Kings 18: Hezekiah trusts the LORD

Begin in prayer

Before we read about King Hezekiah and the threats of Assyria, let us draw near to the Lord together. Ask Him to make us trust Him more than any power of this world, and to show us Jesus, the Son of God.

Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

Psalm 116:2

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Hezekiah trusted You, and that You were with him. Help us to trust You in every trouble, and to look to Jesus, the Son of God who was lifted up on the cross. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Hezekiah becomes king of Judah in the third year of Hoshea, and he does what is right, like David his father. He removes the high places and breaks the bronze serpent that Moses made, because the people had burned incense to it. He trusts the LORD, the God of Israel, and no king of Judah is like him. Sennacherib of Assyria takes the fortified cities of Judah, and Hezekiah pays him silver and gold from the LORD's house. Assyria's commander, Rabshakeh, stands by the wall of Jerusalem and mocks Hezekiah's trust in the LORD. He tells the people not to trust Hezekiah, and says that no god of the nations has delivered its land from Assyria. The people keep quiet, and Hezekiah's officials return with their clothes torn.

As you read 2 Kings 18, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

Hezekiah trusted the LORD, and the LORD was with him wherever he went.

Hezekiah became king at twenty-five, and he did right in the LORD's eyes, as David had (verses 2 and 3). He removed the high places and broke the bronze serpent Moses had made, because the people burned incense to it (verse 4). He trusted the LORD, the God of Israel, and no king of Judah before or after him was like him (verse 5). The LORD was with him, and he rebelled against the king of Assyria (verse 7). In Hezekiah's sixth year Assyria took Samaria, because Israel had not obeyed the LORD's voice (verses 10 to 12). Later Sennacherib took Judah's fortified cities, and Hezekiah paid him silver and gold from the LORD's house (verses 13 to 16). Rabshakeh, the Assyrian commander, mocked Hezekiah's trust and said that no god had saved a land from Assyria (verses 19 to 35). The people stayed quiet, because the king had told them not to answer him (verse 36). The LORD was with Hezekiah, and his trust was now being tested.

How does 2 Kings 18 show us that Hezekiah trusted the LORD, and that the LORD was with him wherever he went?

Hezekiah trusted the LORD.

Hezekiah trusted the LORD, the God of Israel (verse 5). He held fast to the LORD and kept His commandments (verse 6). The LORD was with him, and he prospered wherever he went (verse 7).

The LORD was with Hezekiah, and Assyria tested him.

Hezekiah rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him (verse 7). Later Assyria took the fortified cities of Judah, and Hezekiah paid tribute from the LORD's house (verses 13 to 16). Rabshakeh asked what Hezekiah trusted, and said that no god had saved a land from Assyria (verses 19 and 33).

Hezekiah breaks the bronze serpent.

Hezekiah broke the bronze serpent, because the people had burned incense to it (verse 4). Jesus said that Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness (John 3 verse 14). He said that the Son of Man must be lifted up too (John 3 verse 14). Whoever believes in Him has eternal life (John 3 verse 15).

Memorise

He trusted in Yahweh, the God of Israel; so that after him was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among them that were before him.

2 Kings 18:5

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, will I trust the LORD when others mock Him?

Rabshakeh stood at the wall of Jerusalem and said, “What confidence is this in which you trust?” Hezekiah trusted the LORD, the God of Israel. Jesus is the greater King, and He saves those who trust Him.

Every sinner has trusted something other than God. Jesus was lifted up on the cross, as the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness (John 3 verse 14). He carried the sin of His people there, and nothing is left to pay. He rose from the dead.

Turn from your sin, and rest your trust in Jesus. Whoever believes in Him has eternal life (John 3 verse 16), and everyone who trusts Him receives forgiveness.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Hezekiah trusted the LORD, and that the LORD was with him wherever he went. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Parents, you may want to explain verses 26 to 35 in your own words, without details. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He is with those who trust Him, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For the king trusts in Yahweh. Through the loving kindness of the Most High, he shall not be moved.

Psalm 21:7

Father, thank You that You were with Hezekiah when he trusted You. Thank You for Jesus, lifted up on the cross, who died for sinners and rose again. Help every child turn away from sin and trust Jesus. Help us to trust You in every trouble this week. Amen.