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Commentary on 2 Kings 18 verses 1–8
We have here a general account of the reign of Hezekiah. It appears, by comparing his age with his father's, that he was born when his father was about eleven or twelve years old, divine Providence so ordering that he might be of full age, and fit for business, when the measure of his father's iniquity should be full. Here is,
I. His great piety, which was the more wonderful because his father was very wicked and vile, one of the worst of the kings, yet he was one of the best, which may intimate to us that what good there is in any is not of nature, but of grace, free grace, sovereign grace, which, contrary to nature, grafts into the good olive that which was wild by nature (Rom 11:24), and also that grace gets over the greatest difficulties and disadvantages: Ahaz, it is likely, gave his son a bad education as well as a bad example; Urijah his priest perhaps had the tuition of him; his attendants and companions, we may suppose, were such as were addicted to idolatry; and yet Hezekiah became eminently good. When God's grace will work what can hinder it?
1.He was a genuine son of David, who had a great many degenerate ones (Kg2 18:3): He did that which was right, according to all that David his father did, with whom the covenant was made, and therefore he was entitled to the benefit of it. We have read of some of them who did that which was right, but not like David, Kg2 14:3. They did not love God's ordinances, nor cleave to them, as he did; but Hezekiah was a second David, had such a love for God's word, and God's house, as he had. Let us not be frightened with an apprehension of the continual decay of virtue, as if, when times and men are bad, they must needs, of course, grow worse and worse; that does not follow, for, after many bad kings, God raised up one that was like David himself.
2.He was a zealous reformer of his kingdom, and as we find (Ch2 29:3) he began betimes to be so, fell to work as soon as ever he came to the crown, and lost no time. He found his kingdom very corrupt, the people in all things too superstitious. They had always been so, but in the last reign worse than ever. By the influence of his wicked father, a deluge of idolatry had overspread the land; his spirit was stirred against this idolatry, we may suppose (as Paul's at Athens), while his father lived, and therefore, as soon as ever he had power in his hands, he set himself to abolish it (Kg2 18:4), though, considering how the people were wedded to it, he might think it could not be done without opposition. (1.) The images and the groves were downright idolatrous and of heathenish original. These he broke and destroyed. Though his own father had set them up, and shown an affection for them, yet he would not protect them. We must never dishonour God in honour to our earthly parents. (2.) The high places, though they had sometimes been used by the prophets upon special occasions and had been hitherto connived at by the good kings, were nevertheless an affront to the temple and a breach of the law which required them to worship there only, and, being from under the inspection of the priests, gave opportunity for the introducing of idolatrous usages. Hezekiah therefore, who made God's word his rule, not the example of his predecessors, removed them, made a law for the removal of them, the demolishing of the chapels, tabernacles, and altars there erected, and the suppressing of the use of them, which law was put in execution with vigour; and, it is probable, the terrible judgments which the kingdom of Israel was now under for their idolatry made Hezekiah the more zealous and the people the more willing to comply with him. It is well when our neighbours' harms are our warnings. (3.) The brazen serpent was originally of divine institution, and yet, because it had been abused to idolatry, he broke it to pieces. The children of Israel had brought that with them to Canaan; where they set it up we are not told, but, it seems, it had been carefully preserved, as a memorial of God's goodness to their fathers in the wilderness and a traditional evidence of the truth of that story, Num 21:9, for the encouragement of the sick to apply to God for a cure and of penitent sinners to apply to him for mercy. But in process of time, when they began to worship the creature more than the Creator, those that would not worship images borrowed from the heathen, as some of their neighbours did, were drawn in by the tempter to burn incense to the brazen serpent, because that was made by order from God himself and had been an instrument of good to them. But Hezekiah, in his pious zeal for God's honour, not only forbade the people to worship it, but, that it might never be so abused any more, he showed the people that it was Nehushtan, nothing else but a piece of brass, and that therefore it was an idle wicked thing to burn incense to it; he then broke it to pieces, that is, as bishop Patrick expounds it, ground it to powder, which he scattered in the air, that no fragment of it might remain. If any think that the just honour of the brazen serpent was hereby diminished they will find it abundantly made up again, Joh 3:14, where our Saviour makes it a type of himself. Good things, when idolized, are better parted with than kept.
3.Herein he was a nonesuch, Kg2 18:5. None of all the kings of Judah were like him, either before or after him. Two things he was eminent for in his reformation: - (1.) Courage and confidence in God. In abolishing idolatry, there was danger of disobliging his subjects, and provoking them to rebel; but he trusted in the Lord God of Israel to bear him out in what he did and save him from harm. A firm belief of God's all-sufficiency to protect and reward us will conduce much to make us sincere, bold, and vigorous, in the way of our duty, like Hezekiah. When he came to the crown he found his kingdom compassed with enemies, but he did not seek for succour to foreign aids, as his father did, but trusted in the God of Israel to be the keeper of Israel. (2.) Constancy and perseverance in his duty. For this there was none like him, that he clave to the Lord with a fixed resolution and never departed from following him, Kg2 18:6. Some of his predecessors that began well fell off: but he, like Caleb, followed the Lord fully. He not only abolished all idolatrous usages, but kept God's commandments, and in every thing made conscience of his duty.
II. His great prosperity, Kg2 18:7, Kg2 18:8. He was with God, and then God was with him, and, having the special presence of God with him, he prospered whithersoever he went, had wonderful success in all his enterprises, in his wars, his buildings, and especially his reformation, for that good work was carried on with less difficulty than he could have expected. Those that do God's work with an eye to his glory, and with confidence in his strength, may expect to prosper in it. Great is the truth and will prevail. Finding himself successful, 1. He threw off the yoke of the king of Assyria, which his father had basely submitted to. This is called rebelling against him, because so the king of Assyria called it; but it was really an asserting of the just rights of his crown, which it was not in the power of Ahaz to alienate. If it was imprudent to make this bold struggle so soon, yet I see not that it was, as some think, unjust; when he had thrown out the idolatry of the nations he might well throw off the yoke of their oppression. The surest way to liberty is to serve God. 2. He made a vigorous attack upon the Philistines, and smote them even unto Gaza, both the country villages and the fortified town, the tower of the watchmen and the fenced cities, reducing those places which they had made themselves masters of in his father's time, Ch2 28:18. When he had purged out the corruptions his father had brought in he might expect to recover the possessions his father had lost. Of his victories over the Philistines Isaiah prophesied, Isa 14:28, etc.
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SUMMARY
Second Kings 18:6 offers a profound commendation of King Hezekiah of Judah, highlighting his unparalleled faithfulness and unwavering devotion to the LORD. This verse serves as the foundational explanation for his subsequent righteous reign, radical religious reforms, and the remarkable divine favor he experienced amidst the geopolitical turmoil of the Neo-Assyrian period. It encapsulates his deliberate and consistent adherence to God's revealed will, setting him apart as a monarch who truly "clave" to the LORD, unlike many of his predecessors and even his own father, King Ahaz.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey Hezekiah's exceptional character and the depth of his faithfulness. Emphasis is achieved through the use of Repetition and Tripartite Structure, as the theme of unwavering obedience is first stated with "clave to the LORD," then reinforced by "departed not from following him," and finally concretized by "kept his commandments." This cumulative phrasing builds a comprehensive and irrefutable picture of his devotion. There is also a strong element of Contrast implied throughout the narrative, as Hezekiah's singular devotion is implicitly set against the backdrop of the widespread unfaithfulness of previous kings, particularly his father Ahaz, and the recently fallen Northern Kingdom, whose demise was attributed to their failure to keep God's commands. The use of the verb "clave" (dāḇaq) is a profound Metaphor, drawing on the imagery of physical adhesion to describe a deep, personal, and inseparable spiritual and relational bond with God. This vivid imagery elevates Hezekiah's commitment beyond mere compliance to a profound intimacy and loyalty that defined his entire reign.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound declaration of Hezekiah's faithfulness in 2 Kings 18:6 resonates deeply with core biblical theological themes. It underscores the covenantal nature of God's relationship with His people, where blessings and national well-being are intrinsically linked to obedience and devotion. Hezekiah's example serves as a powerful testament to the principle that true leadership and national flourishing are founded upon a steadfast commitment to God's revealed will. His "cleaving" to the LORD is the human response to God's own unwavering faithfulness, demonstrating that a genuine relationship with the Creator demands exclusive allegiance and active adherence to His commands. This verse highlights the enduring relevance of the Mosaic Law as the standard for righteous living and the pathway to divine favor, even centuries after its initial promulgation, affirming that God's character and requirements for His people remain constant.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's unwavering devotion, as described in 2 Kings 18:6, offers a timeless model for believers today. In a world constantly vying for our allegiance and attention, the call to "cleave to the LORD" is profoundly challenging and liberating. It invites us to cultivate an intimate, inseparable bond with God, one that is not easily swayed by cultural pressures, personal desires, or external threats. This "cleaving" is not a passive state but an active, daily choice to remain connected to the source of all life and truth. It manifests in a consistent refusal to "depart from following Him" and a diligent commitment to "keep His commandments." For us, this means immersing ourselves in His Word, submitting to His Spirit, and living out our faith in practical obedience, trusting that true blessing and enduring strength flow from such a relationship. Hezekiah's life reminds us that genuine spiritual transformation, whether personal or communal, begins with a heart fully devoted to God, demonstrating that our actions are the fruit of our allegiance.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "clave to the LORD" mean in a practical sense for Hezekiah?
Answer: For Hezekiah, "clave to the LORD" meant a profound, active, and unwavering personal devotion that manifested in specific actions throughout his reign. Practically, it meant he made the worship of the LORD the central priority of his kingship, in stark contrast to his idolatrous father, Ahaz, who had introduced pagan altars and practices into Judah. This deep devotion led him to initiate radical religious reforms, including the systematic destruction of all forms of idolatry in Judah, even the bronze serpent Nehushtan, which had become an object of worship (2 Kings 18:4). It also meant he trusted in God for deliverance from the mighty Assyrian Empire, rather than relying solely on political alliances or military might, as seen in his fervent prayer and God's miraculous intervention against Sennacherib's army in 2 Kings 19). His "cleaving" was a consistent, obedient walk with God that informed his decisions as king and shaped the spiritual trajectory of his nation, leading to divine favor and protection.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Hezekiah stands as an exemplary king who "clave to the LORD" and kept His commandments, his obedience, like all human efforts, was imperfect and ultimately pointed to the perfect faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Hezekiah's steadfastness foreshadows the ultimate Son of David, Jesus, who perfectly cleaved to the Father's will in every aspect of His life and ministry. Jesus did not merely "depart not from following" God; He perfectly embodied God's will, declaring, "I always do what pleases him" (John 8:29). He perfectly "kept His commandments," fulfilling the Law not by abolishing it, but by bringing it to its intended purpose and demonstrating its true spirit and righteousness (Matthew 5:17). Where Hezekiah's obedience brought temporary national blessing and physical deliverance, Christ's perfect obedience, culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection, secured eternal salvation and established a new covenant. Through His finished work, believers are now enabled to be reconciled to God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to "cleave" to Him in a new and living way, with hearts transformed and wills aligned with His (Hebrews 10:19-22). Thus, Hezekiah's exemplary life serves as a beautiful, albeit incomplete, picture of the perfect obedience and unwavering devotion found only in the Lamb of God, through whom believers are now able to draw near to God and walk in His ways.