2 Kings 18:3

And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.

And he did {H6213} that which was right {H3477} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, according to all that David {H1732} his father {H1} did {H6213}.

He did what was right from ADONAI's perspective, following the example of everything David his ancestor had done.

And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done.

And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that David his father had done.

Commentary

Second Kings 18:3 introduces King Hezekiah of Judah, immediately providing a positive evaluation of his reign. This verse sets the tone for one of the most significant and righteous kings in Judah's history, highlighting his devotion to God amidst a period of widespread idolatry and political instability.

Context

King Hezekiah ascended the throne of Judah at a critical juncture, following the notoriously wicked reign of his father, King Ahaz. Ahaz had led Judah into deep idolatry, sacrificing his own son, and forming unholy alliances that undermined the nation's spiritual and physical security (see 2 Kings 16:2). Against this backdrop, Hezekiah's immediate portrayal as one who "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD" is a powerful testament to his character and commitment to reversing his father's destructive policies. His reign would also be defined by the looming threat of the powerful Assyrian Empire, which had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel.

Key Themes

  • Righteous Leadership: The verse emphasizes Hezekiah's personal piety and his commitment to leading the nation back to God. His actions were not merely politically expedient but genuinely aligned with divine will, earning him God's approval.
  • The Standard of David: The commendation "according to all that David his father did" is a profound statement. King David served as the ideal benchmark for kingship in Israel, a man after God's own heart. For Hezekiah to be compared to David signifies a return to the foundational covenant faithfulness and true worship that characterized David's reign, distinguishing Hezekiah from many of his predecessors.
  • Covenant Loyalty: Hezekiah's reign represented a period of spiritual revival and covenant renewal. By doing "right in the sight of the LORD," he upheld the terms of God's covenant with Israel, seeking to purify the land from idolatry and restore proper worship.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "did that which was right" is hayyashar b'eyney Yahweh, meaning "the straight in the eyes of the LORD." This signifies moral rectitude, integrity, and strict adherence to God's revealed law, rather than conforming to human standards or political expediency. The term "father" in "David his father" should be understood in the broader sense of "ancestor" or "progenitor," highlighting David's role as the spiritual and royal patriarch from whom Hezekiah drew his righteous standard of conduct.

Practical Application

Hezekiah's example offers several powerful lessons for believers today. Firstly, it demonstrates that one's personal commitment to God can stand in stark contrast to the ungodly influences of family or society. Hezekiah chose righteousness despite his father's wickedness, showing that personal faith is a matter of individual choice and conviction. Secondly, his desire to align his actions with the standard of King David reminds us of the importance of looking to godly examples and biblical principles for guidance in our own lives, striving to acknowledge God in all our ways. Finally, Hezekiah's reign, characterized by extensive reforms (as seen in 2 Kings 18:4), illustrates the transformative power of righteous leadership and the blessing that follows when individuals and nations seek to obey God. Our ultimate model for righteousness is Christ Himself, who lived a perfect life as our example.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 20:3 (5 votes)

    I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done [that which is] good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

  • 1 Kings 11:38 (2 votes)

    And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do [that is] right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

  • 1 Kings 11:4 (2 votes)

    For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, [that] his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as [was] the heart of David his father.

  • 2 Chronicles 29:2 (2 votes)

    And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.

  • 1 Kings 3:14 (2 votes)

    And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

  • 2 Kings 22:2 (2 votes)

    And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.

  • 2 Chronicles 31:20 (2 votes)

    And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought [that which was] good and right and truth before the LORD his God.