Isaiah 37:15

And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying,

And Hezekiah {H2396} prayed {H6419} unto the LORD {H3068}, saying {H559},

This is the prayer that Hizkiyahu prayed to ADONAI:

And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD:

And Hezekiah prayed unto Jehovah, saying,

Commentary on Isaiah 37:15 (KJV)

Isaiah 37:15 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of King Hezekiah and the kingdom of Judah. It introduces Hezekiah's profound prayer to the LORD, a direct response to an overwhelming crisis. This short verse sets the stage for one of the Bible's most dramatic demonstrations of divine intervention in response to human faith and supplication.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is situated during a period of immense national distress for Judah. The powerful Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, had launched a devastating invasion, conquering fortified cities throughout Judah and threatening Jerusalem itself. The Assyrian field commander, Rabshakeh, had delivered a message of taunts and blasphemy against Hezekiah and, more significantly, against the God of Israel, claiming that the LORD was no different from the gods of other nations that Assyria had easily subdued (see Isaiah 36:18-20).

In response to this dire threat and the blasphemous challenge, Hezekiah had torn his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and gone into the house of the LORD (Isaiah 37:1). He had also sent messengers to the prophet Isaiah, seeking divine counsel and intercession. After receiving Isaiah's reassuring prophecy that God would intervene, Hezekiah now turns directly to God in prayer, demonstrating his complete reliance on the Almighty in a seemingly hopeless situation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Power of Prayer in Crisis: This verse underscores the immediate and appropriate response of a leader facing an insurmountable human threat and spiritual attack. Hezekiah's first resort is not military strategy or political maneuvering, but fervent prayer to the LORD.
  • Dependence on God: Hezekiah's act of prayer signifies his profound dependence on God's sovereignty and power. When human strength and wisdom are insufficient, turning to the divine is the ultimate recourse.
  • Seeking Divine Intervention: The crisis presented by Sennacherib's army and the Rabshakeh's blasphemy was beyond human solution. Hezekiah's prayer is an appeal for God Himself to intervene and defend His own name and people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "prayed unto the LORD" is וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל חִזְקִיָּהוּ אֶל־יְהוָה (*vayitpallel Chizqiyyahu el YHWH*). The verb "prayed" (יִתְפַּלֵּל - *yitpallel*) is from the root פָּלַל (*palal*), which means "to intercede," "to mediate," or "to judge oneself." In the *Hithpael* stem (as used here), it conveys the idea of humble self-abasement and earnest pleading before God. The use of "the LORD" (יְהוָה - *YHWH*), God's covenant name, emphasizes His personal relationship with His people and His faithfulness to His promises, which Hezekiah would appeal to in his subsequent prayer.

Related Scriptures

Hezekiah's prayer here is recorded in full in Isaiah 37:16-20, where he eloquently appeals to God's uniqueness and power over all other gods. The miraculous deliverance that follows is detailed in Isaiah 37:36, demonstrating God's swift and decisive answer to prayer. This narrative is also paralleled in 2 Kings 19:15-19 and 2 Chronicles 32:20, highlighting its significance in biblical history.

Practical Application

Isaiah 37:15 serves as a timeless reminder that prayer is not a last resort but often the most potent first response to life's overwhelming challenges. Like Hezekiah, we are called to bring our fears, our seemingly impossible situations, and even the blasphemies directed against God's name, directly to the LORD in humble and earnest prayer. This verse encourages believers to cultivate a habit of immediate and wholehearted reliance on God, trusting that He hears and acts on behalf of those who sincerely call upon Him. It underscores the truth that when we call to Him, He will answer.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 9:3

    And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

  • Daniel 9:4

    ¶ And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

  • 2 Chronicles 14:11

    And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, [it is] nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou [art] our God; let not man prevail against thee.

  • Philippians 4:6

    Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

  • Philippians 4:7

    And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

  • James 5:13

    Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

  • 2 Kings 19:15

    And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest [between] the cherubims, thou art the God, [even] thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.

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