And the LORD was with HezekiahThis phrase indicates divine favor and presence, a recurring theme in the Old Testament where God's presence signifies blessing and success. Hezekiah, the king of Judah, is noted for his faithfulness to God, as seen in his efforts to restore proper worship in the temple and his removal of idolatry (
2 Kings 18:3-6). The LORD's presence with Hezekiah echoes the covenantal promise given to the patriarchs and leaders like Moses and Joshua (
Genesis 26:3,
Joshua 1:5), emphasizing that obedience to God results in His guidance and support.
and he prospered wherever he went
Hezekiah's prosperity is attributed to his reliance on God and his commitment to following God's commandments. This prosperity is not merely material but also includes military success and political stability. The prosperity Hezekiah experienced can be compared to the blessings outlined inDeuteronomy 28 for those who obey God's laws. His reign is marked by significant achievements, including the construction of the Siloam Tunnel, which provided water to Jerusalem during the Assyrian siege, a feat confirmed by archaeological findings.
He rebelled against the king of Assyria
Hezekiah's rebellion against Assyria was a bold political and spiritual move. Assyria was the dominant power in the region, and many nations, including Judah, were vassals paying tribute. Hezekiah's refusal to continue this subjugation was an act of faith, trusting in God's protection rather than human alliances. This rebellion can be seen as a fulfillment of the prophetic encouragement found in Isaiah, who advised against reliance on foreign powers (Isaiah 30:1-2).
and refused to serve him
This refusal to serve the Assyrian king signifies a break from political oppression and a declaration of trust in God's sovereignty. It highlights Hezekiah's commitment to the LORD over political expediency. This act of defiance is reminiscent of the Israelites' earlier refusal to serve Pharaoh, symbolizing liberation and divine deliverance (Exodus 5:1). Hezekiah's actions prefigure the ultimate deliverance found in Jesus Christ, who frees believers from the bondage of sin and death.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
HezekiahThe king of Judah who reigned during a time of significant political and spiritual reform. He is noted for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to rid Judah of idolatry.
2.
The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who is depicted as being with Hezekiah, granting him success and prosperity.
3.
King of AssyriaThe ruler of the Assyrian Empire, a dominant power during Hezekiah's reign. Hezekiah's rebellion against Assyria is a significant political and spiritual act.
4.
JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, over which Hezekiah reigned. It was a time of both threat from external powers and internal religious reform.
5.
Rebellion against AssyriaA political and spiritual act of defiance against the oppressive rule of the Assyrian Empire, symbolizing trust in God's sovereignty over worldly powers.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness Leads to ProsperityHezekiah's success is directly linked to his faithfulness to God. In our lives, spiritual prosperity often follows when we align our actions with God's will.
Courage in the Face of OppositionHezekiah's rebellion against Assyria demonstrates the importance of standing firm in faith, even when facing powerful adversaries. We are called to trust in God's strength over worldly powers.
God's Presence is KeyThe phrase "The LORD was with him" underscores the importance of God's presence in achieving true success. We should seek to cultivate a close relationship with God in all aspects of life.
Spiritual Reform and RenewalHezekiah's reign was marked by significant religious reform. This reminds us of the need for continual spiritual renewal and the removal of idolatry in our own lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Kings 18:7?
2.How does 2 Kings 18:7 demonstrate God's favor towards Hezekiah's leadership?
3.What actions led to Hezekiah's success as described in 2 Kings 18:7?
4.How can we apply Hezekiah's trust in God to our daily challenges?
5.What scriptural connections exist between Hezekiah's success and Psalm 1:3?
6.How can Hezekiah's example inspire us to resist ungodly influences today?
7.How does 2 Kings 18:7 demonstrate God's favor towards Hezekiah?
8.What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Kings 18:7?
9.How does Hezekiah's success in 2 Kings 18:7 relate to his faithfulness to God?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 18?
11.Why does 2 Chronicles 32 seem to present a different order of events compared to 2 Kings 18-19 regarding the siege and Hezekiah's actions?
12.In 1 Chronicles 4:41, why is there no clear historical record of the destruction of these inhabitants, raising doubts about the event’s authenticity?
13.Isaiah 39:2: How could Judah, a small kingdom, have accumulated such wealth and armaments to intrigue Babylon’s interest?
14.2 Kings 18:5–6 – How can we verify Hezekiah’s unprecedented devotion when other kings are also praised elsewhere?What Does 2 Kings 18:7 Mean
And the LORD was with Hezekiah- The verse opens by declaring divine presence, echoing the pattern seen with Joseph inGenesis 39:2–3, where “the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man.”
- God’s nearness is both relational and protective.Psalm 46:7 calls Him “the LORD of Hosts… our fortress,” underscoring the same covenant faithfulness experienced by Hezekiah.
- Hezekiah’s prior reforms (2 Kings 18:3–6) show why God was pleased to be “with” him: he trusted the LORD, removed idols, and kept His commandments, illustratingJames 4:8—“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
He prospered wherever he went- Prosperity here is comprehensive—military, political, and spiritual.2 Chronicles 31:21 testifies, “In every work… seeking his God, he prospered.”
- Obedience leads to blessing;Joshua 1:7–8 links meditating on God’s law with succeeding “wherever you go.”
- Like the righteous man ofPsalm 1:3, Hezekiah’s life models that “whatever he does prospers,” because his roots were deep in God’s truth.
He rebelled against the king of Assyria- This refusal to bow to Assyria was not reckless nationalism but confidence in the LORD. Verse 5 already stated, “He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel.”
-Isaiah 36–37 records the confrontation: Assyria’s threats versus Hezekiah’s prayerful dependence. God’s deliverance that followed (2 Kings 19:35) proves the wisdom of trusting Him over earthly powers.
- His stand mirrorsActs 5:29—“We must obey God rather than men”—showing that allegiance to God surpasses political expediency.
Refused to serve him- Service implies ongoing submission; Hezekiah chose singular devotion to God, reflectingExodus 23:24’s call to reject foreign masters andMatthew 6:24’s warning that “No one can serve two masters.”
- Freedom from Assyrian bondage prefigures the liberty Christ brings (Galatians 5:1), reminding believers that true service belongs only to the LORD.
summary2 Kings 18:7 highlights a cycle: God’s presence leads to prosperity; prosperity fuels courage; courage expresses itself in exclusive loyalty to God. Hezekiah’s example encourages believers to walk in faithful obedience, trust divine nearness, and resist every rival allegiance, confident that the LORD still prospers those who stand firmly with Him.
(7)
And he prospered. . .went forth.--
Whithersoever he would go forth he would prosper. (The italicised
and is needless here, as in
2Kings 18:6.)
Prospered.--Comp.1Kings 2:3;Proverbs 17:8.Going forth denotes any external undertaking or enterprise, especially going forth to war. (Comp. the phrase "going out and coming in.")
He rebelled against the king of Assyria--i.e., refused the tribute which Ahaz his father had paid. In this matter also it is implied that Hezekiah succeeded. The mention of Hezekiah's revolt here does not imply that it happened at thebeginning of his reign, for2Kings 18:1-12 are a preliminary sketch of his entire history. The subject here glanced at is continued at large in2Kings 18:13seq. . . .
Verse 7. - And the Lord was with him. Of no other King of Judah or Israel is this said, except only of David (
2 Samuel 5:10). It was the promise made to Moses (
Exodus 3:12), repeated to Joshua (
Joshua 1:5, 7), and by implication given in them to all those who would rule his people faithfully (comp.
2 Chronicles 15:2). And he prospered whithersoever he went forth; rather,
in all his goings - in cunctis ad quae procedebat (Vulgate). Hezekiah's prosperity is enlarged upon by the writer of Chronicles, who says (
2 Chronicles 32:27-30), "And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, add for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels; storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.... And Hezekiah prospered in all his works." Many brought presents to him to Jerusalem, and he was magnified in the sight of all the surrounding nations (see
2 Chronicles 32:23).
And he rebelled against the King of Assyria, and served him not. Hezekiah's "rebellion" probably took place at the very commencement of his reign,
B.C. 727, in the year that Shalmaneser ascended the throne. Most likely it consisted simply in his withholding his tribute, and neither going in person nor sending representatives to Nineveh, to congratulate the new monarch on his accession. This would be understood as an assertion of independence. That it was not at once resented must be ascribed to Shalmaneser's difficulties with Samaria and with Tyre, which were more pressing, as they lay nearer to Assyria. Before these were over, Sargon usurped the crown. There is reason to believe that he made at least one expedition against Hezekiah; but the date of it is uncertain. Rebellion met him on all sides, and had to be crushed near home before he could venture to deal with it on the remote outskirts of his empire. Meanwhile Hezekiah strengthened himself and built up a considerable power.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And the LORDיְהוָה֙(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelwasוְהָיָ֤ה(wə·hā·yāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bewith [Hezekiah],עִמּ֔וֹ(‘im·mōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973:With, equally withand he prosperedיַשְׂכִּ֑יל(yaś·kîl)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7919:To be, circumspect, intelligentwhereverבְּכֹ֥ל(bə·ḵōl)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyhe went.יֵצֵ֖א(yê·ṣê)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318:To go, bring, out, direct and proximHe rebelledוַיִּמְרֹ֥ד(way·yim·rōḏ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4775:To rebelagainst the kingבְּמֶֽלֶךְ־(bə·me·leḵ-)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428:A kingof Assyriaאַשּׁ֖וּר(’aš·šūr)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804:Ashshurand refusedוְלֹ֥א(wə·lō)Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noto serve him.עֲבָדֽוֹ׃(‘ă·ḇā·ḏōw)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5647:To work, to serve, till, enslave
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OT History: 2 Kings 18:7 Yahweh was with him (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) 
