II Kings 20:2-6 · Bible study
2 Kings 20:2-6 Commentary: Hezekiah's Prayer and Healing
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore why Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, his prayer, tears, and God's promise of healing, added years, and deliverance from Assyria.
Research Summary
- Meaning: A dying king's earnest prayer reverses a death sentence; God grants healing, extended life, and national deliverance.
- Key words: turn (H5437), wall (H7023), prayer (H8605), remember (H2142), tears (H1832), heal (H7495), add (H3254), defend (H1598).
- Main debate: Whether Hezekiah's self-vindication is self-righteous or a faithful covenant appeal (Clarke vs. Keil).
- Theological theme: God responds to covenant faithfulness with mercy, but His primary motive is His own glory and promised faithfulness to David.
- Best use: Comfort and model for prayer in seasons of terminal illness or national crisis.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
2Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying,
3“Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4Before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
5“Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD.
6I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”
WEB World English Bible 2000
2Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to Yahweh, saying,
3“Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4Before Isaiah had gone out into the middle part of the city, Yahweh’s word came to him, saying,
5“Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people, ‘Yahweh, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you will go up to Yahweh’s house.
6I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.”’”
KJV King James Version 1769
2Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying,
3I 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. And Hezekiah wept sore.
4And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying,
5Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord.
6And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
2Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto Jehovah, saying,
3Remember now, O Jehovah, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
4And it came to pass, before Isaiah was gone out into the middle part of the city, that the word of Jehovah came to him, saying,
5Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the prince of my people, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee; on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of Jehovah.
6And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
2And he turneth round his face unto the wall, and prayeth unto Jehovah, saying,
3`I pray Thee, O Jehovah, remember, I pray Thee, how I have walked habitually before Thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and that which is good in Thine eyes I have done;' and Hezekiah weepeth--a great weeping.
4And it cometh to pass--Isaiah hath not gone out to the middle court--that the word of Jehovah hath been unto him, saying,
5`Turn back, and thou hast said unto Hezekiah, leader of My people: Thus said Jehovah, God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tear, lo, I give healing to thee, on the third day thou dost go up to the house of Jehovah;
6and I have added to thy days fifteen years, and out of the hand of the king of Asshur I deliver thee and this city, and have covered over this city for Mine own sake, and for the sake of David My servant.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
2And he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to Jehovah saying,
3Ah! Jehovah, remember, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done what is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept much.
4And it came to pass before Isaiah had gone out into the middle city that the word of Jehovah came to him saying,
5Return, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of David thy father: I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears; behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up to the house of Jehovah;
6and I will add to thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
2And he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying:
3I beseech thee, O Lord, remember how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is pleasing before thee. And Ezechias wept with much weeping.
4And before Isaias was gone out of the middle of the court, the word of the Lord came to him, saying:
5Go back, and tell Ezechias, the captain of my people: Thus saith the Lord, the God of David, thy father: I have heard thy prayer, and I have seen thy tears: and behold I have healed thee: on the third day thou shalt go up to the temple of the Lord.
6And I will add to thy days fifteen years: and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of the Assyrians, and I will protect this city for my own sake, and for David, my servant's sake.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Kings 20:2
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Hezekiah's turning to the wall was a gesture of private, undistracted prayer, deliberately contrasting with Ahab's sullen turning in 1 Kings 21:4. Barnes notes Ahab turned in anger; Hezekiah turned to pray. Cambridge adds that he was in deep sorrow and wanted to pray without being observed. The plea to “remember now” is understood as an appeal to God's covenant promises, especially the Davidic line (1 Kings 8:25). Keil and Delitzsch explain that Hezekiah's appeal to his walking before God in truth and with a perfect heart was a legitimate Old Testament prayer, based on the legal standpoint of the covenant, not self-righteous trust. Gill and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown emphasize the speed of God's answer: before Isaiah left the middle court, the word came. The cure is miraculous, with healing promised for the third day. The title “prince of my people” (nagid) links Hezekiah to the Davidic commission. The promise includes fifteen added years and deliverance from Assyria, for God's own sake and for David's sake.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Private devotion view: Hezekiah turned away from bystanders to concentrate on prayer, contrasting with Ahab's sullen anger (Barnes, Cambridge).
- Self-vindication view: He pleaded his own righteousness, which some consider lacking humility and proper acknowledgment of grace (Clarke).
- Covenantal appeal view: He appealed to God's promise to David and the covenant requirements for succession, aligning with Old Testament piety (Keil, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown).
What is clear: Hezekiah was deathly ill, prayed with deep emotion (tears), and God responded with healing, fifteen added years, and a promise of deliverance from Assyria, motivated by His own sake and His covenant with David.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Hezekiah's self-vindication | Hezekiah appealed to his faithful walk before God, citing his truth and perfect heart. | Clarke sees this as lacking humility and due acknowledgment of God's grace; Keil and Barnes view it as a legitimate Old Testament plea based on covenant promises. |
| Timing of the Assyrian deliverance | The promise includes deliverance from the king of Assyria and defense of Jerusalem. | Gill and Keil believe the deliverance refers to the future invasion (Sennacherib), while Barnes notes it could be a current threat under Sargon; the text does not specify the exact moment. |
| Textual reading of 'middle court' vs 'middle city' | Both readings exist in the Hebrew tradition. | The Kethib reads 'middle city' and the Keri reads 'middle court'; versions like AV follow Keri, while RV follows Kethib. Commentators differ on which location is described. |
| Meaning of 'perfect heart' | The term (shalem) denotes wholeness, sincerity, and undivided devotion. | Some (e.g., Wesley) understand it as relative integrity, not sinless perfection; others see it as covenantal blamelessness appropriate to the Mosaic law. |
| Unique revelation of fifteen years | Hezekiah is the only person in Scripture told exactly how long he will live. | Clarke considers this knowledge a burden that would cause anxiety; others see it as a gracious gift of certainty for the king and his dynasty. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Hezekiah reigned 29 years (2 Kings 18:2), and this event likely occurred in his 14th year, around 714/713 BC, when the Assyrian threat was imminent under Sargon or Sennacherib. Keil and Delitzsch argue that the promise of deliverance from the king of Assyria places this before Sennacherib's invasion. Hezekiah was about 39 years old and childless at the time (his son Manasseh was 12 at his death, so born after this recovery, per Cambridge). The illness was a life-threatening boil (shekhin), not necessarily plague, though some have speculated connection to the Assyrian camp's pestilence (Keil disagrees). Isaiah's initial message, “Set your house in order,” fits the crisis: the Davidic line itself hung in the balance. Hezekiah's turning to the wall reflects the posture of one bedridden yet seeking solitude for prayer (Wesley). The textual reading “middle court” (Keri) vs “middle city” (Kethib) is noted by Gill and Cambridge; the court refers to the palace precinct (1 Kings 7:8). The swift divine answer before Isaiah left shows God's readiness to hear. The fig-cake application (v.7) may indicate a medicinal poultice, but the cure on day three is clearly supernatural.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries note a textual variation in verse 4. The Kethib (written text) reads ˈha‛ir (“the city”), while the Keri (marginal reading) reads chatser (“the court”). The AV follows the Keri with “middle court”; the RV follows the Kethib with “middle part of the city.” Most versions and the LXX follow the Keri. The parallel in Isaiah 38’s version is briefer and does not include this location. No other significant textual variants are mentioned in the supplied sources.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this passage has been read as a powerful example of earnest, private prayer. Early and medieval interpreters often contrasted Hezekiah's turning to the wall with Ahab's turning in sullenness (1 Kings 21:4), emphasizing the inner disposition of the heart. The swift divine response (before Isaiah left the court) was used to encourage believers that God hears the cry of the distressed. Hezekiah's tears were seen as a model of heartfelt supplication, and the fifteen-year extension of life raised questions about God's sovereignty and the conditionality of prophetic announcements. This account has also been paired with Hezekiah's hymn in Isaiah 38:9-20 as a model of thanksgiving. In more recent commentary, the debate over Hezekiah's self-vindication has prompted discussions about Old Testament piety versus New Testament humility.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The posture of prayer: Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, choosing solitude over display. Contrast Ahab's petulance (1 Kings 21:4) with Hezekiah's devotion.
- The plea of prayer: Hezekiah appeals to his faithful walk before God. This is not self-righteousness but confidence in the covenant promises (1 Kings 8:25).
- The promise of God: Before Isaiah leaves, God responds with healing, fifteen more years, and deliverance from Assyria. God both hears and acts.
Five-point outline
- Desperate news prompts desperate prayer. The prophet says, “You will die.” Hezekiah doesn't accept this as final.
- Turning away from the world to seek God. He turns to the wall, not in anger but in focused dependence.
- Remembering covenant faithfulness. Hezekiah's prayer “Remember now” asks God to act consistent with His promises.
- God's immediate and specific answer. He heals by the third day, gives fifteen years, and promises national deliverance.
- God's motivation: His own sake and David's sake. The defense of Jerusalem is rooted in God's character and His covenant with David.
Illustration hooks
- Facing a terminal diagnosis. Many know the moment of receiving a death sentence from a doctor. Hezekiah's turn to the wall models turning to God in that moment.
- Private vs. public prayer. Hezekiah could have prayed loudly in the court, but he sought solitude. Contrast the temptation to perform piety.
- The speed of God's answer. Isaiah had not even left the palace. God responds before we finish praying, at times.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Is it okay to remind God of my faithfulness when I pray? Hezekiah did, and God answered.
- Why did God give a specific number of years? Why not just heal him indefinitely? The specific term is unique in Scripture, showing God's sovereignty over life.
- What does it mean that God defends Jerusalem for His own sake? Our security rests on God's character, not our performance.
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows a king at the edge of death, a prophet with a hard word, and a God who changes His declared course in response to prayer. As you work through the questions, notice the contrast between the initial “you will die” and the final “I will heal you.” Pay attention to how Hezekiah prays and what he says.
Discussion questions
- What do you think Hezekiah felt when Isaiah told him to set his house in order? Why did he turn his face to the wall?
- Hezekiah's prayer mentions “walking before you in truth and with a perfect heart.” Is this a boast or a legitimate appeal? How do you decide?
- Why does the text emphasize Hezekiah's tears? What role does raw emotion play in prayer?
- God answers before Isaiah leaves. What does this tell you about God's attentiveness to prayer?
- The promise includes healing, added years, and deliverance from Assyria. Why does God connect Hezekiah's personal recovery to the national crisis?
- Verse 6 says God defends Jerusalem for “my own sake” and “for my servant David's sake.” How does this shape your understanding of God's motives?
- How might this story encourage someone who has received bad news about their health or their family's future?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Kings 8:30 | Listen to the supplication of your servant, and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Yes, hear in heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive. |
| Psalms 50:15 | Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” |
| Isaiah 38:2 | Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh, |
| Isaiah 38:3 | and said, “Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” Then Hezekiah wept bitterly. |
| Matthew 6:6 | But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. |
| Genesis 5:22 | After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch walked with God for three hundred years, and became the father of more sons and daughters. |
| Genesis 5:24 | Enoch walked with God, and he was not found, for God took him. |
| Genesis 8:1 | God remembered Noah, all the animals, and all the livestock that were with him in the ship; and God made a wind to pass over the earth. The waters subsided. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues that Hezekiah's prayer shows he understood the prophecy as
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes contrasts Hezekiah's turning to the wall in devotion with Ahab's sullen turning, making prayer the key difference. He also notes that Hezekiah's self-vindication fit the old covenant's standard, drawing parallels with David's psalms, and highlights the unique title "captain of my people" as linking Hezekiah to David.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible Schools commentary notes that Hezekiah’s character shines brightest in adversity; during prosperity he showed pride. It also highlights a textual difference in where Isaiah went when the king prayed, suggesting the original reading places him between the two hills of Jerusalem rather than in a palace court.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes emphasize that God heals Hezekiah and delivers Jerusalem for His own sake and for the sake of David His servant, not merely because of Hezekiah’s tears or upright walk. The covenant faithfulness of God, not human merit, forms the basis of the answer.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that the Hebrew text reads "the middle city" but the margin reads "the middle court," a detail he highlights. He stresses that Hezekiah's healing was instantaneous and miraculous, proven by his being able to worship at the temple on the third day. He also observes that this recovery happened before the Assyrian army's destruction.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB contrasts Hezekiah's prayer with Ahab's sulking: Hezekiah turns to the wall for focused prayer, not fretful anger. He pleads God's promise to David, and God immediately responds, extending his life and healing him within three days, confirming the miraculous cure.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch places Hezekiah's illness at the start of Sennacherib's invasion, not after the Assyrian retreat, and identifies the Hebrew term for his boil as a carbuncle, not plague. They see the king's prayer as a faithful appeal, not self-righteousness, and treat the prophecy's precise fifteen-year extension as a genuine supernatural promise.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Hezekiah's reply to Isaiah's grim prophecy is not a sign of selfish relief that judgment falls after his time. Lange insists it expresses pain and love: he does not want to outlive his people or witness their ruin, not indifference to their fate.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights that when Hezekiah could not physically withdraw to pray, he simply turned his face to the wall and turned his mind to God. The key point is his sincerity, he was not conscious of any gross sin that would cut his life short. His tears came partly from the common horror of death but also from anxiety over the kingdom's uncertain future.