God's Judgment Regarding King Hezekiah

Hezekiah was disgusted with the lamentable performance of his father Ahaz as king. Whereas Ahaz had devoted himself to evil and his kingdom suffered the consequences, Hezekiah devoted himself to the LORD, and the kingdom reaped the benefits.

Upon ascending the throne, Hezekiah immediately and energetically thrust his nation into revival, putting a stop to evil practices. The middle part of his reign was devoted to the successful defense of his kingdom against aggressors, with the LORD's help.

2 Kings 18:1-6   Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.

Like several other good kings, Hezekiah's faith floundered later in life. Yet even so, he did not turn fully to evil, but had a time of faithlessness, and then repented, again entering the LORD's good grace. The proof text is:

2 Chronicles 32:25-26   But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.