2 Chronicles 32:20

And for this [cause] Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.

And for this cause Hezekiah {H3169} the king {H4428}, and the prophet {H5030} Isaiah {H3470} the son {H1121} of Amoz {H531}, prayed {H6419} and cried {H2199} to heaven {H8064}.

Because of this, Hizkiyahu the king and Yesha'yahu the prophet, the son of Amotz, prayed and cried out to heaven.

In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out to heaven in prayer,

And Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 32:20 records a pivotal moment of faith and leadership during a severe crisis for the kingdom of Judah. It highlights the combined spiritual authority of King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah as they turn to God in desperate prayer.

Context

This verse immediately follows a period of intense intimidation and blasphemy from Sennacherib, the powerful king of Assyria. Sennacherib had already conquered many nations and was now besieging Jerusalem, sending envoys to mock Judah's God and undermine the people's confidence. His objective was to cause Jerusalem to surrender without a fight, claiming that the Lord could no more deliver Judah than the gods of other nations had delivered their people (2 Chronicles 32:19). Faced with this overwhelming military threat and spiritual assault, King Hezekiah, known for his righteousness and reforms, united with the great prophet Isaiah to seek divine intervention. This event is also extensively documented in 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37.

Key Themes

  • Prayer in Crisis: The verse powerfully illustrates the importance of turning to God when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. Hezekiah and Isaiah did not rely on military might alone but on the power of the Almighty.
  • United Supplication: The combined prayer of the king and the prophet signifies a united front of spiritual leadership, demonstrating that even in the face of national peril, their ultimate reliance was on God.
  • Divine Intervention: This desperate plea to "heaven" was not in vain. As the subsequent verses reveal (2 Chronicles 32:21), God heard their cry and miraculously delivered Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat, annihilating Sennacherib's army.
  • God's Sovereignty: Despite the immense power and boasts of the Assyrian Empire, this narrative underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly rulers and armies.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "prayed and cried" (Hebrew: וַיִּתְפַּלְּלוּ וַיִּזְעֲקוּ, *vayitpallelū vayyiz‘aqū*) emphasizes the intensity and earnestness of their supplication. Vayitpallelū (from *palal*) means "to pray, intercede," while vayyiz‘aqū (from *za'aq*) means "to cry out, call for help," often implying a distressful, urgent, and loud appeal. This was not a casual prayer but a desperate, heartfelt plea in a moment of extreme national danger.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 32:20 serves as a powerful reminder that prayer is our most potent weapon against overwhelming odds. When facing personal crises, national challenges, or spiritual attacks, we are called to follow the example of Hezekiah and Isaiah: to humble ourselves, unite with fellow believers, and cry out to God with fervent prayer. It reinforces the truth that God hears and responds to the sincere cries of His people, often in ways that defy human explanation. This verse encourages us to trust in God's power and faithfulness, even when circumstances seem dire.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 91:14 (5 votes)

    Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

  • Psalms 91:15 (5 votes)

    He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

  • 2 Kings 19:2 (4 votes)

    And he sent Eliakim, which [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

  • 2 Kings 19:4 (4 votes)

    It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up [thy] prayer for the remnant that are left.

  • 2 Chronicles 14:11 (4 votes)

    And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, [it is] nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou [art] our God; let not man prevail against thee.

  • 2 Kings 19:14 (3 votes)

    And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

  • 2 Kings 19:19 (3 votes)

    Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD God, [even] thou only.