And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORDThis phrase highlights the moral and spiritual evaluation of King Hezekiah's reign. In the biblical context, doing what is "right in the eyes of the LORD" signifies adherence to God's commandments and a commitment to worship Him alone. This is a recurring theme in the books of Kings and Chronicles, where the kings of Israel and Judah are often judged based on their faithfulness to God. Hezekiah's actions are contrasted with those of many of his predecessors, who led the people into idolatry. His reforms, including the restoration of temple worship and the destruction of pagan altars, reflect his dedication to aligning Judah with God's will. This phrase underscores the importance of divine approval over human opinion.
just as his father David had done
David is frequently used as the benchmark for righteous kingship in the Old Testament. Although Hezekiah was not a direct son of David, the term "father" is used here to denote a forefather or ancestor, emphasizing the dynastic lineage of the Davidic covenant. David's reign is characterized by his heart for God, despite his personal failings. Hezekiah's comparison to David suggests a return to the ideals of a theocratic monarchy, where the king leads the nation in covenant faithfulness. This connection also points to the messianic hope rooted in the Davidic line, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "Son of David" in the New Testament. Hezekiah's reforms and faithfulness serve as a type of Christ, prefiguring the ultimate restoration and perfect kingship found in Jesus.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
HezekiahThe king of Judah who initiated religious reforms and sought to restore proper worship of Yahweh. He is noted for his faithfulness and dedication to God, following the example of King David.
2.
DavidThe former king of Israel, known as a man after God's own heart. He is often used as a benchmark for righteous leadership in the Old Testament.
3.
JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, where Hezekiah reigned. It was often contrasted with the northern kingdom, Israel, in terms of faithfulness to God.
4.
Temple RestorationThe event where Hezekiah reopened and cleansed the temple, reinstating the proper worship practices that had been neglected.
5.
Religious ReformsThe series of actions taken by Hezekiah to return the nation to the worship of Yahweh, including the removal of idols and the restoration of temple services.
Teaching Points
Righteous LeadershipHezekiah's example shows the importance of leading with integrity and faithfulness to God's commands. Leaders today can learn from his commitment to doing what is right in God's eyes.
Restoration and RenewalJust as Hezekiah restored the temple, believers are called to restore and renew their spiritual lives, removing anything that hinders true worship.
Legacy of FaithHezekiah followed the example of David, demonstrating the impact of a godly legacy. We are encouraged to leave a legacy of faith for future generations.
Courage in ReformImplementing change, especially in spiritual matters, requires courage. Hezekiah's reforms remind us that standing for truth may require difficult decisions.
Faithfulness in AdversityDespite the challenges Hezekiah faced, he remained faithful. This teaches us to trust in God's guidance and strength during difficult times.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 29:2?
2.How can we emulate Hezekiah's actions to "do what was right" today?
3.What does "right in the eyes of the LORD" mean for Christians now?
4.How does Hezekiah's example connect with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament?
5.What steps can we take to align our actions with God's standards?
6.How can Hezekiah's obedience inspire our personal and communal spiritual growth?
7.How does 2 Chronicles 29:2 reflect Hezekiah's commitment to God's commandments?
8.What historical evidence supports Hezekiah's reforms mentioned in 2 Chronicles 29:2?
9.How does 2 Chronicles 29:2 challenge modern Christian leadership principles?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 29?
11.What are the visions and prophecies of Gad?
12.Does King Ahaz's portrayal in 2 Chronicles 28 conflict with the account in 2 Kings 16?
13.What defines a eulogy?
14.(2 Chronicles 17:3-4) How can Jehoshaphat be said to walk in David's ways without referencing David's well-documented moral failures in earlier narratives?What Does 2 Chronicles 29:2 Mean
And he did• The verse opens with movement: Hezekiah acted. Faith was not an idea tucked away; it showed up in choices (James 1:22).
• Scripture consistently links love for God with concrete obedience—“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
• In the first month of his reign Hezekiah reopened the temple doors (2 Chron 29:3), proving that his faith translated into decisive steps.
what was right• “Right” is defined by God, not public opinion.Deuteronomy 6:18 calls every generation to “do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD.”
• Hezekiah removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles (2 Kings 18:4), actions the culture of his day would have called extreme.
• The standard remains unchanged for believers now: righteousness is whatever aligns with God’s revealed will (Psalm 119:142).
in the eyes of the LORD• The only eyes that finally matter are God’s.Proverbs 15:3 reminds us, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place.”
• People saw a young king; the LORD saw a heart committed to covenant faithfulness (1 Samuel 16:7).
• Because God’s gaze is all-seeing and all-knowing, His assessment carries eternal weight (2 Corinthians 5:10).
just as his father David had done• “Father” points to the royal line, not immediate parentage (Hezekiah’s biological father, Ahaz, was actually notorious for idolatry, 2 Chron 28:22-25).
• David’s reign is the yardstick for every Judean king (1 Kings 15:3-5). Hezekiah matched that benchmark by restoring pure worship and leading the nation in covenant renewal (2 Chron 29:20-30).
• The comparison underscores grace: a godly legacy is possible even after a wicked predecessor, because God delights to raise up righteous leaders in any generation (Psalm 145:4).
summary2 Chronicles 29:2 celebrates a king whose faith produced obedient action, measured by God’s righteous standard, evaluated by God’s omniscient gaze, and patterned after the wholehearted devotion of David. In one concise sentence, Scripture shows the timeless path to spiritual renewal: act on God’s Word, pursue what He calls right, live for His approval alone, and follow the example of those who wholeheartedly sought Him before us.
(2)
And he did.--The verse is identical with
2Kings 18:3.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And he didוַיַּ֥עַשׂ(way·ya·‘aś)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, make[what was] rightהַיָּשָׁ֖ר(hay·yā·šār)Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3477:Straight, rightin the eyesבְּעֵינֵ֣י(bə·‘ê·nê)Preposition-b | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869:An eye, a fountainof the LORD,יְהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israeljust asכְּכֹ֥ל(kə·ḵōl)Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyhis fatherאָבִֽיו׃(’ā·ḇîw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1:FatherDavidדָּוִ֥יד(dā·wîḏ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732:David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jessehad done.עָשָׂ֖ה(‘ā·śāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, make
Links
2 Chronicles 29:2 NIV2 Chronicles 29:2 NLT2 Chronicles 29:2 ESV2 Chronicles 29:2 NASB2 Chronicles 29:2 KJV
2 Chronicles 29:2 BibleApps.com2 Chronicles 29:2 Biblia Paralela2 Chronicles 29:2 Chinese Bible2 Chronicles 29:2 French Bible2 Chronicles 29:2 Catholic Bible
OT History: 2 Chronicles 29:2 He did that which was right (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) 
