2 Kings

2 Kings 20: The LORD adds years to Hezekiah

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Hezekiah's illness and his tears, let us come before the Lord together. Ask Him to hear our prayers, and to show us Jesus, who wept and who gives life.

Yahweh my God, I cried to you, and you have healed me.

Psalm 30:2

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You hear the prayers of Your people and see their tears. Help us to bring every need to You, and to trust Jesus, who wept and gives life. 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 is sick and near death, and Isaiah tells him to set his house in order, because he will die. Hezekiah turns his face to the wall, prays, and weeps bitterly, reminding the LORD how he has walked before Him. Before Isaiah leaves the middle of the city, the LORD sends him back to say that He has heard the prayer and seen the tears. The LORD promises to heal Hezekiah, to add fifteen years to his life, and to defend the city for David's sake. Isaiah lays a cake of figs on the boil, and Hezekiah recovers. The LORD gives a sign by moving the shadow back ten steps on the sundial of Ahaz. Later, envoys from Babylon visit, and Hezekiah shows them all his treasures.

As you read 2 Kings 20, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD heard Hezekiah's prayer, saw his tears, and added years to his life.

Hezekiah was sick and dying, and Isaiah told him to set his house in order, for he would die (verse 1). Hezekiah turned to the wall, prayed, and wept bitterly (verses 2 and 3). The LORD sent Isaiah back to say, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears” (verses 4 and 5). He promised to heal Hezekiah, add fifteen years to his life, and defend the city from Assyria (verses 5 and 6). The LORD gave a sign by moving the shadow ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz (verses 9 to 11). Later envoys from Babylon came, and Hezekiah showed them everything in his house (verses 12 and 13). Isaiah said that all of it would be carried to Babylon, and some of his sons with it (verses 16 to 18). This shows that the LORD hears prayer, and that He tells the truth about what is coming.

How does 2 Kings 20 show us that the LORD heard Hezekiah's prayer, saw his tears, and added years to his life?

The LORD hears prayer.

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed (verses 2 and 3). He wept bitterly, and the LORD answered him (verses 3 and 4). The LORD said, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears” (verse 5). Jesus also wept at the tomb of His friend Lazarus (John 11 verse 35).

The LORD adds years to Hezekiah's life.

The LORD promised to heal Hezekiah and to add fifteen years to his life (verses 5 and 6). Isaiah laid a cake of figs on the boil, and the king recovered (verse 7). The LORD gave a sign by moving the shadow back ten steps (verse 11).

Hezekiah shows his treasures to Babylon.

Envoys from Babylon came with letters and a present, for they had heard that Hezekiah was sick (verse 12). Hezekiah showed them all his treasures and everything in his house (verse 13). Isaiah said that all of it would be carried to Babylon (verses 16 and 17). Hezekiah said that the LORD's word was good, if there would be peace and truth in his days (verse 19).

Memorise

I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.

2 Kings 20:5

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I bring my troubles to Jesus in prayer?

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, prayed, and wept bitterly. The LORD answered, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears.” Jesus also wept at the tomb of His friend Lazarus, and He raised Lazarus to life (John 11 verses 35 and 43).

Sin brings every person under the sentence of death, and no prayer can earn life. Jesus died on the cross in His people's place, and the whole debt was paid. God raised Him on the third day, and He gives life to all who trust Him.

So come to Him, put away your sin, and rest in Jesus. He is the resurrection and the life, and whoever believes in Him will live (John 11 verse 25). Forgiveness is given to everyone who trusts Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears, and that Jesus wept and gives life. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Parents, you may want to explain verses 12 to 19 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 hears our prayers and gives life, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Yahweh will save me. Therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our life in Yahweh’s house.

Isaiah 38:20

Father, thank You that You hear prayer and see our tears. Thank You for Jesus, who wept at the tomb of Lazarus and gives life to all who trust Him. Give each child grace to turn from sin and rest in Jesus. Help us to bring every need to You this week. Amen.