2 Kings 20:1 - 21:18 Outline

Chapter 20

Hezekiah Told He Would Die (1-3)

God Grants Hezekiah Fifteen More Years (4-6)

Hezekiah Asks For A Sign (7-11)

King Of Babylon Shown Treasures Of Judah (12-13)

Isaiah Warns Of Babylon's Victory Over Judah (14-18)

Hezekiah Dies (19-21)

Chapter 21

Manasseh Reigns (1-2)

Evil Acts Of Manasseh (3-6)

Asherah Image Placed In The Temple (7-9)

The Lord Speaks Out Against Manasseh (10-16)

Death of Manasseh (17-18)

2 Kings 18:1 - 19:37 - Thoughts

And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. (2 Kings 19:14)

Hezekiah was at the end of himself.  He had no more gold or silver to offer the king of Assyria.  He was out numbered and found no human possibility for deliverance.  God had him right where He wanted him!

Why do we seem to think of God as a "last resort" when all other options fail?  God wants to be our first option with no plan B.  Proverbs 3:5-6 say it best, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Finally, Hezekiah takes the letter from his enemy, unfolds it before the LORD in the temple and says the most amazing and heart-felt prayer. (2 Kings 19:15-19).  It was a short prayer, but consisted of three key things:

1. He acknowledged who God is to get his perspective right.
2. He asked for special attention. Lord, please pay attention to this area in my life. He recognised the attack was on God and not personal.
3. He prayed for the outcome to be for God's glory.

May we follow in Hezekiah's footsteps in this regard.  Allow us to quickly turn to Jesus for help and may we learn to pray for the right perspective and for the right motivation.

2 Kings 18:1 - 19:37 - Outline

Chapter 18

Reign of Hezekiah (1-2)

Hezekiah Reinstates Temple Worship (3-4)

God Blesses Hezekiah (5-8)

Recap Of Assyria Capturing The Northern Kingdom (9-12)

Hezekiah Pays Tribute To King Of Assyria (13-16)

Assyrian Dignitaries Come To Jerusalem (17-18)

Rabshakeh Warns Judah Not To Trust In The LORD (19-25)

Judah Leaders Try To Quiet Rabshakeh (26-27)

Rabshakeh Tries To Scare The People (28-35)

People Follow Hezekiah's Words (36-37)

Chapter 19

Hezekiah Asks Isaiah To Pray To The LORD (1-4)

The Lord Promises To Deliver Jerusalem (5-6)

Rabshakeh Sends Another Letter To Hezekiah (8-13)

Hezekiah Prays To The LORD (14-19)

God Promises To Defend Jerusalem (20-34)

God Delivers Jerusalem (35-37)