Study Desk

In the third year of Israel's King Hoshea^(a) son of Elah, Hezekiah^(b) son of Ahaz became king of Judah.

He was 25 years old when he became king and reigned 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi^[a] daughter of Zechariah.

He did what was right in the Lord 's sight just as his ancestor David had done.^(c)

He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles.^(d) He broke into pieces the bronze snake that Moses made,^(e) for the Israelites burned incense to it up to that time. He called it Nehushtan.^[b]

Hezekiah trusted in the Lord God of Israel;^(f) not one of the kings of Judah was like him, either before him or after him.^(g)

He remained faithful to Yahweh^(h) and did not turn from following Him but kept the commands the Lord had commanded Moses.

The Lord was with him, and wherever he went he prospered.⁽ⁱ⁾ He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.^(j)

He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its borders,^(k) from watchtower^(l) to fortified city.