Key Verse
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
—Romans 15:4
Key Verse Thought: Read the key verse. Not only is the Bible written for our learning, but also by watching as God revealed Himself mightily to His people when they obeyed His Word, it not only comforts us, but gives us hope – a confidence that God keeps each and every promise.
Emphasis: We are to recognize God’s Word was given so we could have confidence that God will hear anyone who will call upon Him with a repentant heart. God will then reveal himself mightily to all of the world.
Lesson Summary: We have now learned about the first twelve kings of Judah, with only six good kings so far. After ending on such a sour note in our last lesson (remember wicked King Ahaz), it is quite refreshing to learn of the best king Judah ever had – King Hezekiah. “He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him” (2 Kings 18:5). Hezekiah was 25 when he became king and reigned for 29 years. “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done” (2 Chronicles 29:2). In the first month of the first year of King Hezekiah’s reign, he “opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them” (2 Chronicles 29:3). Not only that, but he reestablished the offices of the priests and Levites. After acknowledging the nation’s sin, King Hezekiah led the people in the reestablishment of the broken relationship between God and His people by reinstituting the Temple worship. After this, King Hezekiah sent letters to all of Judah, calling them to keep the Passover. Hezekiah led the people by example when he brought great offerings into the house of the Lord. Once the people began bringing their first fruits into the Temple, there was such abundance; they had to build extra storage space. What they did not know, was that in their obedience to God’s commands, God was preparing them for the future siege by their enemy. Sennacherib, king of Syria, sent his army to besiege Jerusalem. Hezekiah prepared and encouraged the people. Then he prayed for God’s deliverance. God answered by defeating the enemy for them. In this mighty victory, all of the nations around recognized God’s hand in the deliverance.
The next thing we read about King Hezekiah was that he was sick unto death. When he prayed, God extended his life by 15 years. God gave him a sign – the sun’s shadow went backward ten degrees. However, we also learn of a very foolish thing King Hezekiah did toward the end of his life, and the consequences of that foolish act that would come.
The period of King Hezekiah’s reign can be considered the greatest revival Judah experienced.
“And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead” (2 Kings 20:21).
Y2Q2 – Lesson 12 in full
Y2Q2 – Lesson 12 Children’s Worksheets
If you choose to do this lesson with younger children, the following is a craft idea to go along with this lesson.
