2 Chronicles 32:30

This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

This same Hezekiah {H3169} also stopped {H5640} the upper {H5945} watercourse {H4161}{H4325} of Gihon {H1521}, and brought it straight {H3474} down {H4295} to the west side {H4628} of the city {H5892} of David {H1732}. And Hezekiah {H3169} prospered {H6743} in all his works {H4639}.

It was this same Hizkiyahu who blocked the upper outlet of the Gichon Spring and diverted the water straight down on the west side of the City of David. Hizkiyahu succeeded in all that he did.

It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Spring of Gihon and channeled it down to the west side of the City of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all that he did.

This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

Commentary

Context

2 Chronicles 32:30 concludes a section highlighting King Hezekiah's remarkable reign in Judah. This verse specifically details one of his most significant engineering achievements, crucial for the defense of Jerusalem. Facing the imminent threat of invasion from Sennacherib, king of Assyria, Hezekiah took proactive measures to secure the city's vital water supply. The Gihon Spring, located outside the city walls, was Jerusalem's primary water source, making it vulnerable during a siege. Hezekiah's solution was to divert its waters through a subterranean tunnel directly into the city, specifically to the Pool of Siloam on the west side of the City of David. This strategic move, along with his unwavering trust in God's deliverance, played a critical role in Jerusalem's survival against the Assyrian onslaught, as vividly recounted earlier in this chapter.

Key Themes

  • Resourcefulness and Foresight: Hezekiah demonstrated exceptional practical wisdom and foresight by preparing for the siege. His engineering feat, known today as Hezekiah's Tunnel, is a testament to human ingenuity applied for survival and defense. This tunnel, carved through solid rock, is an impressive archaeological wonder.
  • Divine Blessing and Prosperity: The verse concludes with the powerful statement, "And Hezekiah prospered in all his works." This isn't merely a record of material success but signifies God's favor and blessing upon Hezekiah's diligent efforts and his faithfulness. His actions were not just human endeavor but were undertaken within a context of trust in God, as seen in 2 Chronicles 31:20-21.
  • Preparation and Trust: The narrative of Hezekiah consistently illustrates the biblical principle that human effort and divine providence often work hand-in-hand. Hezekiah diligently prepared and planned, but he also exhorted his people to trust in the Lord (2 Chronicles 32:8). His prosperity was a result of both his wise actions and God's blessing.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "prospered" here is tsalach (צָלַח), which carries the meaning of 'to advance, to be successful, to make progress, to prosper.' It often denotes success that comes from divine favor or enablement, indicating that Hezekiah's achievements were not solely due to his own capabilities but were blessed by God. This term emphasizes that God was with him in his undertakings, leading to positive outcomes.

Practical Application

Hezekiah's story in this verse offers valuable lessons for believers today. It highlights the importance of combining diligent preparation and practical wisdom with unwavering faith in God. We are called to be responsible stewards of our resources and to wisely plan for the future, whether in personal, professional, or spiritual matters. However, our efforts should always be rooted in trust that true prosperity and success come from God's blessing. When we commit our "works" to the Lord, as Hezekiah did, we can anticipate His guidance and favor, knowing that "the plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance" (Proverbs 21:5, KJV).

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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 1:33 (5 votes)

    The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

  • 2 Chronicles 32:4 (2 votes)

    So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?

  • Joshua 1:7 (2 votes)

    Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

  • Joshua 1:8 (2 votes)

    This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

  • 1 Kings 1:38 (2 votes)

    So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.

  • Isaiah 22:9 (2 votes)

    Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.

  • Isaiah 22:11 (2 votes)

    Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.