DISCOURSE: 378
HEZEKIAHS APPEAL TO GOD

2Ki 20:2-3. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.

AS clouds return after rain, so do troubles follow each other frequently in rapid succession. Great was the affliction of Hezekiah at the time of Sennacheribs invasion: and no sooner was he delivered from that, than he was attacked with a deadly malady, and had a message from the Lord that he must die [Note: There appears no just reason for transposing these two events; for they certainly might easily occur within the space of one year; and it is not right to take such liberties with Scripture, as that of transposing chapters and events, without strong internal evidence of the necessity of such a change.]. Under this new trouble he betook himself, as he had done also on the former occasion, to fervent prayer: and in this prayer he made a most solemn appeal to God, an appeal which needs to be well considered.

We will notice,

I.

The occasion of it

A message had been sent him from the Lord to set his house in order, and to prepare for speedy death.
Now this would be an awful warning to any man
[There is in every man an instinctive dread of death; and more especially to those who regard it in its true light. Who can think of going to the tribunal of a just and holy God, to give an account of all that he has done in the body, whether good or evil, and to receive from God a sentence of everlasting happiness or misery, and not tremble at such a prospect? This thought is as interesting to the prince as the peasant and though many persons treat it as fit only to be regarded by the poor, or by the sick and aged, yet, when the hour of death draws nigh, all feel its importance; or, if any are hardened enough to disregard it then, their delusion ceases the very instant that death has executed on them its commission ]
But it was peculiarly distressing to Hezekiah
[He had begun a great and glorious reformation, and had fondly hoped to see it completed in the land. Besides, he had many plans for the temporal prosperity of his subjects; which now he had no prospect of carrying into execution. To relinquish all these projects was painful in the extreme. It evidently was not the mere fear of death that stimulated him to pray: nor does he appear to have entertained any doubt about the safety of his own soul: it was for God, and for the Jewish nation, that he felt concerned: and doubtless, in proportion to his zeal for God, and the love he bore to man, would be his grief at the tidings of such a premature and unseasonable termination of his life: nor do we wonder that under such circumstances he should make supplication to his God with strong crying and tears.]
Yet, till it is explained, we shall not easily account for,

II.

The appeal itself

It does at first sight appear like the Pharisaic boast, I thank thee, O God, that I am not as other men. But, in truth, it was a plea, with which his prayer was enforced; a plea, like that of David, Preserve my soul, for I am holy [Note: Psa 86:2.]. In this appeal he humbly declared before God.

1.

The use which he had hitherto made of life

[From the first moment of his coming to the throne, he had set himself to suppress idolatry, and to reform the nation. Of this he had the testimony of his own conscience; and this gave him much comfort in his soul [Note: 2Co 1:12.], together with confidence in urging his petitions before God [Note: 1Jn 3:21-22.].

But there was in this plea a reference to an express promise made to David, a promise, the accomplishment of which Hezekiah was now particularly authorized to ask, and to expect God had assured David that if his children should walk before him in truth, there should not fail one of them to sit upon the throne of Israel [Note: 1Ki 2:4.]. But Hezekiah had walked before God in truth, and yet was about to die without leaving any child to succeed him in his throne [Note: Manasseh was not born till three years afterwards. Compare 2Ki 20:6 with 21:1.]. This under any circumstances would have been a great affliction; but it was peculiarly afflictive, now that Hezekiah was in the midst of all his plans for the welfare of the nation, and had no prospect of a successor who would carry them on. Hence there was a propriety in this appeal, far beyond what has been generally supposed: for if we have complied with any conditions on which a promise is suspended, we may justly urge it with God as a plea for the accomplishment of his promise.]

2.

The end for which he desired a continuance of life

[His desire was, not that he might have a protracted enjoyment of earthly things, but that he might have further opportunities of serving God. This appears from the thanksgiving which he uttered on his recovery [Note: Isa 38:18-19.]. And this was a legitimate ground of desiring life. St. Paul, though he desired to depart and to be with Christ, which was far better, yet was willing to stay a longer time here below, because it was needful for the Church of Christ. What better plea then could be urged than this? O my God, thou hast put me into a situation wherein I can serve thee to great advantage; and thou knowest I have no desire but to advance thy glory in the world: O take me not away, till I have been enabled to render thee all the service of which thou hast made me capable! Such was Davids plea [Note: Psa 30:8-9.]; and it may well be urged by all who desire to fulfil the true ends of life.]

Address,
1.

Those who are in health and strength

[Who can tell, how soon the message may be sent to you, Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die and not live. You may be in the prime of life, as Hezekiah was; (he was only forty years of age;) or, like him, may possess great wealth and honour; or may be engaged in pursuits of vast utility to the world; but death will not spare us on any of these accounts, if it has received its commission to cut us down. Inquire then whether, if the message were now delivered unto you, Thou shalt die, and not live, you are ready to give up your account with joy? Can you appeal to the heart-searching God that you have walked as in his presence, and endeavoured with sincerity of heart to approve yourselves to him? Has the doing of his will in all things been the one object of your life? Above all, inquire whether Christ has been precious to you? whether you have lived by faith on him? and whether you have truly devoted yourselves to his service? These are the things that characterize a true Christian; and unless you have the testimony of your conscience that you have made this use of life, you have indeed very abundant cause to be afraid of death. O pray to God that you may not be taken away in such an unprepared state; and lose not a moment in seeking that entire change of heart and life, without which you can never have any well-grounded confidence towards God.]

2.

Those who have recovered from sickness, or have escaped any particular danger

[Why has God spared or restored you, but that you might live henceforth to his glory? Perhaps under the apprehension of death, you determined with yourselves that you would give yourselves up to God. Now then remember the vows that are upon you. God heard your prayer, and the prayers of others for you, that it might be seen whether you would serve him or not. O beware how you abuse his patience and long-suffering towards you: beware how you make use of life only to add sin to sin, and to treasure up wrath against the day of wrath. There is a great work lying before you, and but little time to do it in. To have the text realized in you, to have it realized in all its parts and to have such an evidence of it in your heart and life, as to be able to appeal to God respecting it; this is no easy matter; nor is it a work that ought to be deferred one single moment. Consider, you are still as much exposed to death as ever. Though restored, you have no promise of life for fifteen years to come, no, nor for fifteen days or hours. Improve then the present hour: Walk not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, that at whatever hour the heavenly Bridegroom may arrive, you may be found ready, and be counted worthy to sit down with him at his marriage-feast in heaven.]

Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)

Hezekiah had learnt by experience the efficacy of prayer, and he therefore hath recourse to it again. But what I wish the Reader to notice with me in this prayer of the king of Judah is, that he turned towards the wall. He could not go up to the temple, to the mercy-seat, but like another Jonah he looked towards it. Jesus was all along typified by the mercy-seat in the Old Testament scripture, and by the temple. And the church, in reference to views of Jesus saith, he looketh from behind the wall, showing himself through the lattice. Son 2:9 ; Jon 2:4 . What a delightful thought it is, that the same precious faith in Christ marked all the Old Testament saints. Some have thought that Hezekiah dreaded death. But certainly there is nothing in the prayer which implies as much. Neither doth the king pray for life or death. The subject of his petition is for God’s remembrance of him. And the argument be makes use of is, not taking pride in his integrity, but humbly begging to be remembered for his faith in God’s covenant grace and mercy, and what is that but redemption in Christ?

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

2Ki 20:2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,

Ver. 2. Then he turned his face to the wall. ] Not so much out of fear of death, – though nature at death will have a bout with the best; and to die actively is not every man’s happiness; quis enim vult mori? prorsus nemo, saith one; death in itself is nature’s slaughter-man, hell’s harbinger, &c., – a nor at all because he was uncertain whither he should go when he died, as Jerome would have it: but Isaiah’s message of death was so harsh and heavy to him, because he had then died without issue, as appeareth in that Manasseh was but twelve years old at his father’s death.

a , . – Arist., Ethic., lib. iii. cap. 6.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

he. Some codices, with four early printed editions, Septuagint, and Syriac, read “Hezekiah”.

prayed. See note on 2Ki 20:15. See his references to this in his “Songs of the degrees” (Psa 120:1; Psa 123:1-3; Psa 130:1, Psa 130:2); and App-67.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

he turned: 1Ki 8:30, Psa 50:15, Isa 38:2, Isa 38:3, Mat 6:6

Reciprocal: Job 33:26 – pray Jam 5:16 – The effectual

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

HEZEKIAHS PRAYER

He turned his face to the wall and prayed unto the Lord.

2Ki 20:2

Hezekiah is reckoned as one of the three perfect kings of Judah, the other two being David and Josiah. His reign of twenty-nine years was marked by great material advancement. The aqueduct of Jerusalem preserves his fame to this day. Under Ahaz the kingdom had deteriorated in morals. The idolatry which he established was suppressed by his son. The worship of Jehovah, which had been neglected, was restored, and the nation enjoyed an era of great prosperity. Ahaz had permitted, in the very precincts of the Temple, to be set up chariots and altars dedicated to the sun. Hezekiah was fortunate in having Isaiah as his tutor and prophet.

I. Hezekiah was a man of prayer.We see the names of the good prophet and the good king often linked together. The man who can pray best in sickness is the man who prays in health. The man who prays in sickness, but never in health, is a moral coward. Hezekiah went to the secret place for prayer. Shutting the world out he was shut in with God. If we would have Christ hear our prayers we must remember the five rules He gave us for prayers. First, a period for prayer, when thou prayest. Second, a place for prayer, enter into thy closet. Third, privacy in prayer, when thou hast shut the door. Fourth, persons in prayer, pray to thy Father. Fifth, promise in prayer, and thy Father which is in secret, He shall reward thee openly. The safeguard to all our prayers should be, Thy will be done.

II. Hezekiah pleaded his own righteousness, which was the best he could do at his time.We, however can plead the righteousness of Jesus Christ. God has a variety of ways by which He can answer prayer. Our sign is the Cross of Calvary, and in that sign we shall conquer. It cast its shadows on the summit of Calvary, and to the end of time those who come within its shadow will find peace and rest and sweet assurance.

III. Prayer is the one instrument in the power of man by which he can halt the golden chariot of the sun and call to his side the God of the universe.Prayer from Hezekiahs lips had the power to destroy the adversaries of God. His prayers had the power to save his nation when it was depleted and seemed an easy prey for the enemy. His prayers brought to him Gods gift, length of days and other temporal blessings. His prayers also brought him remission of his sins and removal of the punishment which sin incurs. Not only does God hear our prayers, but He sees our tears. There will come a time when He will wipe away all tears from our eyes. Hezekiah need have no fear of death during the fifteen years that had been given to him. But with the cancelling of the death warrant for fifteen years he would only be a man of fifty-four years when the warrant would be issued again. Added life is not always added blessing. The gift of God to us is eternal life through Jesus Christ. We are bidden to ask forgiveness of God daily, and it is His high prerogative to forgive those who are forgiving. In Gods hands alone are the issues of life and death.

Illustration

God answers our prayers instrumentally. The case of Hezekiah is a typical one! God could have raised him from the sick bed as He did Lazarus from the grave, by a word; but, as a matter of fact, He did so by suggesting to Isaiah the remedy needed, and by blessing that remedy. In like manner, God could have answered St. Pauls prayer for his storm-driven companions by stilling the tempest, as Christ did that by which the disciples were imperilled on the Lake of Galilee, by a word; but, as a matter of fact, He did so by giving them wisdom and strength to lay hold upon the boards and broken pieces of the ship, by which they all escaped safe to land. This is a most important truth, and it answers not a few semi-philosophical cavils against prayer. In 1872 King Edward VII, when Prince of Wales, and again, thirty years later, just before his coronation, was dangerously ill, and the whole nation united in supplications on his behalf; and our belief is, that his restoration on both occasions was an answer to prayer, quite as much as was the restoration of Hezekiah. Some say, No, he owed his recovery to the skill of his physicians and the assiduity of his nurses. Very good. But who gave the physicians their skill and the nurses their assiduity? Let those who, on the ground that medical skill of the highest order waited constantly at the bedside of the King, deny that his recovery was an answer to prayer, cipher out how much of the loaf on their table is due to mechanical causes, and how much of it is due to God. Their doing so will help them to understand the principle of which I have reminded you, that God answers prayer, as He dispenses blessing, instrumentally.

Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary

2Ki 20:2. Then he turned his face to the wall As he lay in his bed. He could not retire to his closet; but he retired as well as he could; he turned from the company to converse with God. When we cannot be so private as we would in our devotions, nor perform them with the usual outward expressions of reverence and solemnity, yet we must not, therefore, omit them, but compose and address ourselves to them as well as we can.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

20:2 Then he turned his face to the {a} wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,

(a) That his mind might not be troubled.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes