King living at the time of Divided Monarchy

Hezekiah

2 Kings 18–20; 2 Chronicles 29–32; Isaiah 36–39

King of Judah, Ahaz’s son, who “did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, according to all that David his father had done.” He removed the high places, broke the pillars, and even broke in pieces the bronze serpent Moses had made, since the people burned incense to it. “He trusted in Yahweh, the God of Israel, so that after him was no one like him among all the kings of Judah” (2 Kings 18:1–7). He reopened and cleansed the temple and held a great Passover (2 Chronicles 29–31).

When Sennacherib of Assyria besieged Jerusalem, Hezekiah prayed with Isaiah’s encouragement, and in one night the angel of Yahweh struck 185,000 in the Assyrian camp (2 Kings 18–19). When he was sick and about to die, he prayed, and God added fifteen years to his life (2 Kings 20:1–6). He made the pool and the conduit that brought water into the city (2 Kings 20:20). He is named in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:9–10).

Scripture’s verdict: Did what was right in Yahweh’s eyes (2 Kings 18:3).

Taken at face value, Ahaz's age (20 at accession, 16 years' reign) and Hezekiah's (25 at accession) would make Ahaz about 11 at Hezekiah's birth; most chronologists resolve this with a co-regency.

Family

Father

Ahaz

Mother

Abi

Wife

Hephzibah

Children

Manasseh king of Judah

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