2 Kings 18:3-7
Summary for 2Kgs 18:3-4: 18:3-4 a Unlike Ahaz (16:2 b), Hezekiah compared favorably with David. Hezekiah destroyed false objects of worship, including the pagan shrines ... sacred pillars, and ... Asherah poles (see 16:3-10 c; 17:9-11 d, 19 e).• Apparently the bronze serpent used by Moses (Num 21 f) had become an object of illicit worship.
Summary for 2Kgs 18:5-6: 18:5-6 g Hezekiah trusted in the Lord: He was without peer among all the kings of Judah. Later, Josiah was without equal in upholding the law of Moses (23:25 h). These two kings were models of piety in times of diminishing spirituality.
Summary for 2Kgs 18:7-8: 18:7-8 i Because of Hezekiah’s unparalleled spiritual commitment, God blessed him and he was successful in everything he did. Hezekiah began a series of reforms, including the cleansing, repair, and refurbishing of the Temple (2 Chr 29:3-36 j); observance of the Passover (2 Chr 30 k); and the reconstituting of vital worship in Judah (2 Chr 31:1-19 l).
• He revolted against the king of Assyria: In the ancient Near East, rebellion and the withholding of tribute usually took place with the change of government; King Sennacherib of Assyria succeeded Sargon II in 704 BC. Assyria’s preoccupation with matters in southern Mesopotamia at this time might have emboldened Hezekiah. Assyria’s response was to invade Judah in 701 BC (18:13–19:36 m).
• He also conquered the Philistines, who had been a menace during Ahaz’s reign (2 Chr 28:18 n).
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