909 - Hezekiah Rules in Judah

Hezekiah Rules in Judah

Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, began to rule, over Judah, in the third year, of King Hoshea’s reign, in Israel. 

He was twenty-five years old, when he became king, and he reigned, in Jerusalem, twenty-nine years. 

His mother was Abijah, the daughter, of Zechariah. 

Hezekiah did what was pleasing, in the Lord’s sight, just as his ancestor, David, had done. 

He removed the pagan shrines, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. 

He broke up the bronze serpent, that Moses had made, …because the people, of Israel, had been offering sacrifices, to it (instead of to the Lord). 

The bronze serpent was called Nehushtan. 

Hezekiah trusted, in the Lord, the God of Israel. 

There was no one like Him, among all the kings, of Judah, either before or after his time. 

He remained faithful, to the Lord, in everything, …and he carefully obeyed allthe commands the Lord had given Moses. 

So, the Lord was with him, and Hezekiah was successful, in everything he did. 

He revolted against the king, of Assyria, and refused, to pay him tribute. 

He also conquered the Philistines, as far distant, as Gaza, and its territory, from their smallest outpost, to their largest, walled city. 

During the fourth year, of Hezekiah’s reign, which was the seventh year, of King Hoshea’s reign, in Israel, King Shalmaneser, of Assyria, attacked the city, of Samaria, and began a siege, against it. 

Three years later, during the sixth year, of King Hezekiah’s reign, and the ninth year, of King Hoshea’s reign, in Israel, Samaria fell. 

At that time, the king, of Assyria, exiled the Israelites, to Assyria, and placed them, in colonies, in Halah, along the banks, of the Habor River, in Gozan, and in the cities, of the Medes. 

For they refused, to listen, to the Lord, their God, or obey Him. 

Instead, they violated His covenant—all the laws, that Moses, the Lord’s servant, had commanded them, to obey. 

2 Kings 18:1–12 (NLT)

Praise be to God!