2 Kings 20:3

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.

I beseech {H577} thee, O LORD {H3068}, remember {H2142} now how I have walked {H1980} before {H6440} thee in truth {H571} and with a perfect {H8003} heart {H3824}, and have done {H6213} that which is good {H2896} in thy sight {H5869}. And Hezekiah {H2396} wept {H1058}{H1065} sore {H1419}.

"I plead with you, ADONAI, remember now how I have lived before you truly and wholeheartedly, and how I have done what you see as good." And he cried bitter tears.

โ€œPlease, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what was good in Your sight.โ€ And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Remember now, O Jehovah, 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.

Commentary

2 Kings 20:3 presents King Hezekiah's earnest prayer to God as he faces a terminal illness. Having just been told by the prophet Isaiah that he would die (as recounted in 2 Kings 20:1), Hezekiah turns to the Lord in desperation, appealing to his record of faithfulness.

Context

King Hezekiah was one of Judah's most righteous kings, known for his extensive religious reforms, removal of idolatry, and restoration of true worship in Jerusalem (see 2 Kings 18:3-6). Despite his exemplary reign, he is struck with a life-threatening illness. This verse captures his deeply personal and immediate response to the prophecy of his impending death. His prayer is not a demand but a humble plea, rooted in his consistent devotion to God.

Key Themes

  • Earnest Prayer in Distress: Hezekiah's "wept sore" indicates profound grief and the intensity of his supplication. It highlights that even righteous individuals face life-threatening challenges and that fervent prayer is a natural response to such crises.
  • Appeal to Righteous Living: Hezekiah appeals to God based on his past conduct: "I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight." This is not a boast of sinless perfection, but a sincere declaration of his unwavering commitment and integrity in his kingship and personal life before God.
  • God's Remembrance and Responsiveness: Hezekiah's plea for God to "remember now" speaks to the covenantal relationship and God's faithfulness to those who walk uprightly. This prayer sets the stage for God's merciful intervention, as detailed in the subsequent verses where God grants him 15 more years of life.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Perfect Heart": The Hebrew word translated "perfect" is shalem (ืฉึธืืœึตื), which conveys the idea of being complete, whole, sincere, or undivided in devotion. It does not imply sinless perfection, but rather an integrity of purpose and a wholehearted commitment to God, without hypocrisy or idolatry. Hezekiah's heart was undivided in its allegiance to the Lord.
  • "Wept Sore": This phrase emphasizes the depth of Hezekiah's emotional distress and the earnestness of his prayer. His tears were a genuine expression of his desperate plea to God, underscoring the sincerity of his faith.

Practical Application

Hezekiah's prayer serves as a powerful model for believers today. When facing dire circumstances, we are encouraged to:

  1. Turn to God in Sincere Prayer: Our deepest fears and most urgent needs should drive us to our Heavenly Father.
  2. Live a Life of Integrity: While we do not earn God's favor through works, a life lived in truth and with a whole heart before God provides a foundation of confidence in His presence. It reflects a genuine relationship.
  3. Trust in God's Compassion: Just as God heard Hezekiah's cry and responded with mercy, we can trust that God hears the prayers of His faithful people and responds according to His perfect will and loving kindness (see Psalm 34:17).
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 13:14

    Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.

  • Nehemiah 13:22

    And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and [that] they should come [and] keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, [concerning] this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

  • Nehemiah 5:19

    Think upon me, my God, for good, [according] to all that I have done for this people.

  • 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.

  • 2 Kings 18:6

    For he clave to the LORD, [and] departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.

  • Nehemiah 13:31

    And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

  • Luke 1:6

    And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.