2 Kings 20:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"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.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
King Hezekiah, facing a divinely pronounced terminal illness, pours out his heart to the LORD in a fervent prayer. He appeals to God's remembrance of his faithful and sincere walk, his integrity, and his righteous actions in God's sight, concluding his desperate plea with intense weeping. This verse captures a pivotal moment of deep human vulnerability and profound trust in God's character and covenant faithfulness, setting the stage for divine intervention.

### CONTEXT

* **Literary Context:** This verse is immediately preceded by the prophet Isaiah's stark pronouncement of Hezekiah's impending death, "Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live" ([2 Kings 20:1](/2_kings/20-1 "2 Kings 20:1 - Isaiah's Prophecy to Hezekiah")). Hezekiah's prayer in [2 Kings 20:3](/2_kings/20-3 "2 Kings 20:3 - Hezekiah's Prayer for Healing") is his direct and desperate response to this grim prophecy. The narrative then swiftly moves to God's immediate and merciful response through Isaiah, granting Hezekiah an extension of life ([2 Kings 20:4-6](/2_kings/20-4 "2 Kings 20:4-6 - God's Response to Hezekiah's Prayer")). This rapid sequence highlights God's attentiveness to the prayers of His faithful servants and His sovereign power over life and death, serving as a powerful illustration of the efficacy of earnest prayer within the broader narrative of God's dealings with His people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Hezekiah reigned over Judah from approximately 715-686 BC, a period marked by significant political and spiritual turmoil. He was a contemporary of the prophet Isaiah and faced the existential threat of the Assyrian Empire, notably the siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib ([2 Kings 18-19](/2_kings/18 "2 Kings 18 - Hezekiah's Reign and Assyrian Invasion")). Culturally, the concept of a king's health was often linked to the well-being of the nation, and illness could be perceived as divine judgment. Hezekiah's appeal to his righteous conduct was not uncommon in ancient Near Eastern prayers, where one might recount their good deeds to a deity. However, Hezekiah's prayer transcends a mere contractual appeal, rooted in his genuine covenant relationship with Yahweh, whom he had faithfully served by purging idolatry and restoring true worship throughout Judah ([2 Kings 18:3-6](/2_kings/18-3 "2 Kings 18:3-6 - Hezekiah's Righteous Reign")).

* **Key Themes:** [2 Kings 20:3](/2_kings/20-3 "2 Kings 20:3 - Hezekiah's Earnest Prayer") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "The Second Book of Kings"). Firstly, it underscores the theme of **God's responsiveness to earnest prayer**, particularly in times of profound distress. Hezekiah's desperate plea and subsequent miraculous recovery demonstrate God's willingness to intervene beyond human expectation. Secondly, the verse highlights the **importance of a life lived in integrity and faithfulness before God**. Hezekiah's appeal to his "perfect heart" and good deeds, while not a claim of sinless perfection, points to a genuine, undivided devotion that God honors. This contrasts sharply with the many unrighteous kings documented in [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "The Second Book of Kings"). Finally, it touches upon the **sovereignty of God over life and death**, illustrating that even a divine decree can be altered by God's mercy in response to fervent human supplication, though always according to His ultimate will and purpose.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis

* **Remember (Hebrew, _zakhar'_):** This word, often translated "remember," carries a much deeper theological weight than mere recollection. In a covenantal context, it signifies God's active engagement with His promises and His people. When Hezekiah pleads, "remember now," he is not suggesting God has forgotten, but rather appealing for God to act on the basis of His covenant faithfulness and Hezekiah's demonstrated loyalty. It implies a call for God to manifest His character and promises in the present situation, aligning His action with His established relationship with His servant.

* **Perfect Heart (Hebrew, _shalem levav'_):** The Hebrew term _shalem_ (שָׁלֵם) denotes completeness, wholeness, integrity, or being undivided. When applied to the heart (_levav_, לֵבָב), it describes a heart fully devoted to God, without hypocrisy, duplicity, or divided loyalties to other gods or idols. It does not imply sinless perfection, which is unattainable for humanity, but rather a sincere, unreserved commitment to Yahweh, a genuine desire to obey His commands and walk in His ways, as Hezekiah consistently demonstrated throughout his reign by removing idolatry and restoring true worship.

* **Wept Sore (Hebrew, _bakha bekhi gadol'_):** This phrase literally means "wept a great weeping" or "wept with a great weeping." The use of the cognate accusative (verb and noun from the same root) intensifies the action, emphasizing the depth and earnestness of Hezekiah's emotional distress. His tears were not merely a sign of sorrow but a profound, unreserved expression of his desperate plea to God. This intense weeping underscores the sincerity of his faith and the urgency of his supplication in the face of death, reflecting a raw, human vulnerability before the divine.

#### Verse Breakdown

* **"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."**: This clause constitutes Hezekiah's direct, impassioned appeal to God. The phrase "I beseech thee" conveys humility and earnestness. His request for God to "remember now" is a plea for God to act in accordance with His covenant relationship, acknowledging Hezekiah's consistent fidelity. "Walked before thee in truth" signifies a life lived with integrity, honesty, and adherence to God's revealed will. "With a perfect heart" further clarifies this as an undivided, sincere devotion, free from hypocrisy or idolatry. Finally, "done [that which is] good in thy sight" summarizes his reign as one characterized by actions pleasing to God, particularly his extensive religious reforms and commitment to justice. This entire appeal is not a boast of merit to earn salvation, but a humble declaration of a life lived in covenant faithfulness, seeking God's mercy based on that established relationship.

* **"And Hezekiah wept sore."**: This concise statement provides a powerful visual and emotional conclusion to the verse. It confirms the depth of Hezekiah's distress and the profound sincerity of his prayer. His "great weeping" is not a sign of weakness, but of intense spiritual agony and desperate supplication. It underscores the human reality of facing death and the raw emotion involved in crying out to God when all other hope seems lost. This detail emphasizes the earnestness that often accompanies truly transformative prayer.

#### Literary Devices

The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Direct Address** is immediately evident in "O LORD," establishing a personal and intimate appeal to God. The use of **Pathos** is central, as Hezekiah's "wept sore" evokes deep sympathy and highlights the raw human emotion of desperation in the face of death, making his prayer relatable and impactful. There is an element of **Appeal to Ethos** or character, as Hezekiah references his past conduct ("walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done [that which is] good in thy sight"), not as a claim of earning favor, but as a testament to his consistent, sincere devotion within his covenant relationship with God. The **Juxtaposition** of Isaiah's death prophecy with Hezekiah's immediate, fervent prayer underscores the power of supplication. Finally, the **Intensification** conveyed by "wept sore" (a cognate accusative in Hebrew) emphasizes the profound depth of his emotional and spiritual anguish, transforming a simple statement of crying into a powerful declaration of desperate, heartfelt prayer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Hezekiah's prayer in [2 Kings 20:3](/2_kings/20-3 "2 Kings 20:3 - Hezekiah's Earnest Prayer") profoundly illustrates the theological truth of God's attentiveness and responsiveness to the prayers of His faithful people. While human righteousness never earns salvation or dictates God's will, a life lived in sincere devotion and integrity creates a context for confident appeal to God's covenant faithfulness and mercy. Hezekiah's plea is not a demand, but a humble cry from a heart genuinely committed to Yahweh. This episode demonstrates God's sovereign power to alter even a divinely pronounced decree of death in response to fervent, righteous prayer, revealing His compassionate nature and His desire for His people to seek Him in all circumstances. It underscores that God is not a distant deity but one who hears, remembers, and acts on behalf of those who walk uprightly before Him.

* [Psalm 34:17](/psalm/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Righteous Cry Out")
* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The Prayer of a Righteous Person")
* [Psalm 116:1-2](/psalm/116-1 "Psalm 116:1-2 - God Hears My Cry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Hezekiah's profound prayer in the face of imminent death offers a timeless model for believers navigating their own crises. His immediate turning to God, not in despairing resignation but in earnest supplication, teaches us the vital importance of making God our first and ultimate resort in times of distress. The appeal to his "perfect heart" and righteous walk reminds us that while our salvation is by grace through faith, a life consistently lived in integrity and sincere devotion to God builds a foundation of confidence in our relationship with Him. This confidence allows us to approach His throne with boldness, not presuming upon our own merit, but trusting in His character and His covenant promises. Hezekiah's "wept sore" validates the reality of human emotion and the importance of pouring out our deepest fears and sorrows before God without reservation. His experience encourages us to pray fervently, sincerely, and persistently, trusting that God hears the cries of His children and responds according to His perfect wisdom, boundless compassion, and sovereign will, often in ways that transcend our expectations.

#### Questions for Reflection

* **When facing a dire prognosis or overwhelming crisis, is your immediate instinct to turn to God in fervent prayer, or to other solutions first?**
* **What does it mean for your "heart" to be "perfect" or "whole" before God in your daily life, and how might this impact your confidence in prayer?**
* **How does Hezekiah's intense weeping inform your understanding of what it means to pray with genuine earnestness and vulnerability?**
* **In what specific area of your life do you need to appeal to God's remembrance of His faithfulness and your commitment to Him?**

### FAQ

**Did Hezekiah's appeal to his good deeds mean he was trying to earn God's favor or salvation?**

Answer: No, Hezekiah's appeal was not an attempt to earn salvation or manipulate God. In the Old Testament covenant context, a "perfect heart" (Hebrew _shalem levav_) signifies an undivided, sincere devotion to God, free from idolatry and hypocrisy, and a life lived in obedience to His commands. Hezekiah's reign was marked by extensive religious reforms and a zealous commitment to Yahweh, contrasting sharply with many of his predecessors. His appeal to God's remembrance of his "truth" and "perfect heart" was a plea based on his established covenant relationship and demonstrated faithfulness, trusting that God would act according to His character and promises to those who walk uprightly before Him. It was an appeal to God's mercy and faithfulness within the framework of their existing relationship, not a transactional attempt to earn a reward. This is consistent with the understanding that God responds to the prayers of the righteous, as seen in [Psalm 34:17](/psalm/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Righteous Cry Out") and [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The Prayer of a Righteous Person").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Hezekiah's prayer for healing and his subsequent extension of life demonstrate God's compassion and responsiveness to the righteous, the ultimate fulfillment of such appeals is found in Jesus Christ. Hezekiah's "perfect heart" and "truthful walk" foreshadow the only truly perfect and righteous life ever lived—that of Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus Fulfills All Righteousness")) and always did what was pleasing to the Father ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")). Unlike Hezekiah, whose life, though righteous, was still marked by sin (as seen in his pride later in [2 Kings 20:12-19](/2_kings/20-12 "2 Kings 20:12-19 - Hezekiah's Pride and Isaiah's Prophecy")), Jesus was without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Was Without Sin")). His desperate prayer in Gethsemane ([Luke 22:42-44](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42-44 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")), though not for deliverance from death but for the Father's will to be done, echoes the intensity of Hezekiah's "wept sore." Ultimately, God's answer to humanity's cry for deliverance from death is found in Christ's resurrection, conquering death for all who believe ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Through His sacrifice, believers are clothed with His perfect righteousness ([Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness Through Faith in Christ")), enabling us to approach God's throne with confidence, not based on our own imperfect walk, but on the perfect work and intercession of our great High Priest ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")).

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

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.