2 Kings 20:2

KJV

Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then he turned {H5437} his face {H6440} to the wall {H7023}, and prayed {H6419} unto the LORD {H3068}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

Hizkiyahu turned his face toward the wall and prayed to ADONAI:

Berean Standard Bible

Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying,

American Standard Version

Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto Jehovah, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse captures a profoundly intimate and desperate moment in the life of King Hezekiah. Faced with a divine pronouncement of imminent death delivered by the prophet Isaiah, Hezekiah's immediate and visceral response is not to appeal to human authority or to despair, but to turn away from all external distractions and direct his full attention to the Lord in earnest, humble prayer. His physical posture of turning his face to the wall underscores his desire for complete privacy, profound humility, and an unhindered, deeply personal communion with God in the face of an overwhelming and seemingly final crisis.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [2 Kings 20:1](/2_kings/20-1 "2 Kings 20:1 - Isaiah's Prophecy of Hezekiah's Death"), where the prophet Isaiah delivers the grim news that King Hezekiah is terminally ill and should prepare for death. This divine pronouncement comes after a period of significant national and spiritual challenges during Hezekiah's reign, most notably the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian siege, detailed in [2 Kings 18-19](/2_kings/18 "2 Kings 18-19 - Sennacherib's Invasion and God's Deliverance"). The narrative flow presents a king who has recently witnessed God's immense power and faithfulness in a national crisis, now facing a deeply personal one. His turning to the wall and praying is depicted as an immediate, instinctual, and deeply personal reaction to this shocking news, setting the stage for one of the most remarkable demonstrations of God's responsiveness to prayer in the Old Testament, which unfolds in the subsequent verses of [2 Kings 20](/2_kings/20 "2 Kings 20 - Hezekiah's Illness, Prayer, and Recovery").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Hezekiah reigned over Judah from approximately 715-686 BC, a tumultuous period marked by the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire and significant internal religious reforms. His reign is largely celebrated for his zealous efforts to purge idolatry and restore the pure worship of Yahweh, as extensively documented in [2 Chronicles 29-31](/2_chronicles/29 "2 Chronicles 29-31 - Hezekiah's Religious Reforms"). In the ancient Near East, severe illness was frequently interpreted as a sign of divine judgment or a precursor to death, with very limited medical interventions available. The specific act of "turning his face to the wall" carries significant cultural weight. It suggests a deliberate withdrawal from the public sphere and even from the presence of the prophet, indicating a desire for absolute privacy and isolation to engage in an intensely personal, unburdened plea to God. It was a posture of profound humility, vulnerability, and desperation, stripping away all royal dignity to approach the divine in utter dependence, a common practice for deeply earnest and intimate prayer in a culture where both public and private prayer were common.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Kings 20:2](/2_kings/20-2 "2 Kings 20:2 - Hezekiah's Earnest Prayer") powerfully introduces and reinforces several enduring biblical themes. Firstly, it highlights the **Power of Earnest Prayer**, demonstrating Hezekiah's profound belief in God's ability to intervene even when a divine decree appears to be final. His immediate recourse to God underscores the biblical truth that the fervent prayer of a righteous person is highly effective, as affirmed in [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The Prayer of a Righteous Person"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Humility and Sincerity** as essential components of approaching God; Hezekiah's posture signifies his brokenness and vulnerability, casting aside royal pretense to appeal as a humble servant. This humble and contrite heart is often a prerequisite for God's favorable response, echoing the sentiments found in [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart"). Thirdly, it illustrates **Direct Access to God**, as Hezekiah bypasses human intermediaries, including the prophet who delivered the message, to go straight to the Lord. This highlights the personal and direct relationship believers can have with their Creator. Finally, while not explicitly stated in this verse, it **Foreshadows Divine Mercy and Responsiveness**, as the subsequent narrative in [2 Kings 20:4-6](/2_kings/20-4 "2 Kings 20:4-6 - God's Immediate Response to Hezekiah's Prayer") reveals God's immediate and compassionate response to Hezekiah's cry, extending his life. This illustrates God's willingness to hear and respond to the cries of His people, especially those who seek Him with their whole heart, a theme prevalent throughout the book of [Psalms](/psalms/1 "The Book of Psalms - Songs of Praise and Lament").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **turned (Hebrew, _çâbab'_):** From the primitive root H5437, meaning "to revolve, surround, or border." In this context, it signifies a deliberate and intentional action of reorientation. Hezekiah actively turns his face, emphasizing a conscious decision to pivot physically and spiritually away from the world and towards God. This is not a passive movement but a purposeful act of focusing his entire being on the divine encounter he is about to initiate.
* **face (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** From H6440, a plural noun often used idiomatically to represent presence, person, or attention. "Turning one's face" signifies directing one's full attention, presence, and being towards something or someone. Here, it underscores Hezekiah's complete focus and the intensely personal nature of his appeal to God, bringing his entire being into the act of prayer, unburdened by external distractions.
* **prayed (Hebrew, _pâlal'_):** From H6419, a primitive root meaning "to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray." This word denotes a serious, earnest, and often intercessory form of prayer. Hezekiah is not merely speaking to God; he is engaging in a profound act of supplication, making an urgent appeal, and seeking divine judgment or intervention in his dire situation. It highlights the depth and sincerity of his communication with the Lord.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then he turned his face to the wall":** This clause describes Hezekiah's immediate and deliberate physical reaction to the prophecy of his impending death. The act of turning to the wall is a profound gesture, signifying a desire for absolute privacy and seclusion. It represents a conscious withdrawal from the external world, including the prophet who delivered the grim news, to create an intimate space for unhindered communion with God. This posture also conveys deep humility, desperation, and perhaps even grief, as the king, stripped of his royal dignity, prepares to lay bare his vulnerability before the Almighty.
* **"and prayed unto the LORD, saying,":** This second clause immediately follows and explains the purpose of Hezekiah's physical action. His turning to the wall was a preparatory act for prayer, indicating that his immediate and sole recourse in this crisis was to God. The phrase "unto the LORD" (Yahweh, H3068) emphasizes that his prayer was directed specifically to the covenant God of Israel, highlighting his faith in God's sovereignty and His approachable nature despite the dire prognosis. The concluding "saying" introduces the content of his fervent appeal for mercy and a reminder of his faithful service, which is detailed in [2 Kings 20:3](/2_kings/20-3 "2 Kings 20:3 - Hezekiah's Prayer Content").

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey the depth of Hezekiah's emotional and spiritual state. **Symbolism** is prominently featured in Hezekiah's act of turning his face to the wall. The wall symbolizes not only a physical barrier for privacy but also a spiritual boundary, representing his complete withdrawal from earthly concerns to enter into an intensely personal and unburdened communion with God. This posture is also a powerful act of **Humility**, as the king sheds his royal dignity to assume a posture of vulnerability and desperation before the divine. There is an element of subtle **Dramatic Irony** for the reader, who, possessing the broader biblical narrative, anticipates God's merciful and immediate response, even as Hezekiah himself is in a state of profound despair. Furthermore, the verse serves as a powerful **Foreshadowing** of the miraculous divine intervention that is about to unfold, highlighting the extraordinary efficacy and transformative power of earnest prayer in the face of seemingly irreversible circumstances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hezekiah's prayer in [2 Kings 20:2](/2_kings/20-2 "2 Kings 20:2 - Hezekiah's Earnest Prayer") stands as a profound testament to the biblical truth that God is both sovereign in His decrees and intimately responsive to the earnest cries of His people. While God's pronouncement through Isaiah seemed final, Hezekiah's immediate and desperate turning to the Lord demonstrates a deep understanding of God's character as merciful, compassionate, and capable of relenting. This moment underscores the dynamic interplay between divine decree and human prayer, suggesting that God's plans, while ultimately firm and purposeful, are not necessarily rigid in the face of genuine repentance, fervent supplication, and a heart aligned with His will. It affirms that prayer is not merely a psychological exercise or a ritualistic act but a powerful spiritual engagement that can genuinely influence outcomes, revealing God's desire for an active relationship and His willingness to engage with His creation on a deeply personal level.

* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "The Earnest Prayer of a Righteous Person")
* [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "The Lord Hears the Righteous")
* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14 "Confidence in Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's desperate prayer in [2 Kings 20:2](/2_kings/20-2 "2 Kings 20:2 - Hezekiah's Prayer") offers timeless and profound lessons for believers navigating their own crises and seemingly insurmountable challenges. When confronted with overwhelming news, seemingly irreversible circumstances, or the stark reality of our own mortality and limitations, our first and most instinctual response should be to turn to God. Hezekiah's posture—turning to the wall—is a powerful metaphor for shutting out the noise, distractions, and despair of the world, creating a sacred, private space for unhindered, honest, and vulnerable communion with our Creator. It reminds us that prayer is not a last resort but our primary and most potent weapon in the face of life's greatest challenges. This narrative calls us to approach God with sincere humility, laying bare our fears, hopes, and desperation, trusting in His boundless mercy and His willingness to hear and respond, even when His will seems already declared. This verse encourages us to cultivate a personal relationship with God where direct access is always available, and where our earnest pleas are always heard and considered by a loving Father.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When faced with overwhelming or devastating news, what is your immediate instinctual response? How does Hezekiah's reaction challenge or affirm your own approach to crisis?**
* **What "walls" or intentional practices can you implement in your life to create a sacred space for focused, undistracted, and intimate prayer, especially in times of profound crisis?**
* **How does Hezekiah's humility and vulnerability in prayer encourage you to be more open and honest with God about your deepest fears, anxieties, and desires?**
* **In what ways does this verse deepen your understanding of God's responsiveness to prayer, even when circumstances or pronouncements seem predetermined or irreversible?**

### FAQ
**Why did Hezekiah turn his face to the wall?**

Answer: Hezekiah's act of turning his face to the wall was a deliberate and profoundly symbolic gesture with multiple layers of meaning. Primarily, it signified his desire for privacy and solitude. In ancient Near Eastern culture, turning to a wall could indicate a wish to be alone, to shut out external distractions, and to engage in deeply personal and unburdened communication. It allowed him to focus entirely on his plea to God, without the presence of Isaiah or other courtiers. Secondly, it conveyed profound humility and desperation. By turning away from human gaze and perhaps even from the grandeur of his royal chambers, Hezekiah stripped himself of his kingly dignity, approaching God in utter vulnerability and brokenness. It was a posture of complete surrender and reliance on God alone, acknowledging that no human solution could address his impending death. Finally, it represented intense focus and earnestness. The wall served as a physical boundary, enabling him to direct his entire being—mind, body, and spirit—towards the Lord, underscoring the sincerity and fervency of his prayer in the face of a life-threatening decree. This posture, while not explicitly commanded in scripture, illustrates a powerful example of how one might seek deep communion with God in a time of crisis.

**Does Hezekiah's prayer imply that human prayer can change God's mind or alter His decrees?**

Answer: This is a profound theological question that Hezekiah's story, along with other biblical accounts, helps us understand. While God is sovereign and His ultimate purposes are unchangeable, the Bible also presents God as a relational being who responds to the prayers of His people. In Hezekiah's case, God had declared he would die ([2 Kings 20:1](/2_kings/20-1 "2 Kings 20:1 - Isaiah's Prophecy to Hezekiah")), yet Hezekiah's fervent prayer led to God relenting and adding fifteen years to his life ([2 Kings 20:4-6](/2_kings/20-4 "2 Kings 20:4-6 - God's Immediate Response")). This demonstrates that God, in His mercy and wisdom, can choose to alter a specific pronouncement or course of action in response to sincere human repentance and prayer. Other examples include God relenting from disaster after Moses interceded for Israel in [Exodus 32:14](/exodus/32-14 "Exodus 32:14 - God Relents from Disaster") and His change of plans for Nineveh after their repentance in [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents for Nineveh"). This does not mean God is fickle or lacks foresight, but rather that His sovereignty is dynamic and relational, allowing for human prayer to play a real and significant role within His divine plan. It underscores that God desires for His people to engage with Him in prayer, and He delights in responding to their earnest cries.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's desperate turning to the wall and praying to the Lord serves as a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate and perfect intercession found in Jesus Christ. While Hezekiah, a righteous king, could only appeal to God based on his own faithfulness and God's covenant, Christ stands as the definitive answer to humanity's deepest cries and the ultimate mediator between God and humanity. Hezekiah's direct access to God, though powerful, was limited by his human nature and the Old Covenant; Jesus, however, is the very embodiment of direct access, being both fully God and fully man. His own life was marked by fervent prayer, often withdrawing to solitary places to commune with the Father, as seen in [Luke 5:16](/luke/5-16 "Luke 5:16 - Jesus Often Withdrew to Pray"). More profoundly, Christ's sacrificial death on the cross removed the ultimate barrier of sin, granting all believers unhindered access to the Father's throne of grace ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). Hezekiah's prayer for extended physical life was answered, but Christ offers eternal life through His resurrection ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). Moreover, unlike Hezekiah who prayed for himself, Jesus continually intercedes for His people, serving as our eternal High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood") and [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Intercedes for Us")). Thus, Hezekiah's desperate plea points to the infinitely greater and eternally effective prayer and mediation of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world and provides the ultimate answer to all human need ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Isaiah 38:2

Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,

Isaiah 38:3

And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, 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 8:30

And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.

Matthew 6:6

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.