2 Chronicles 32:24-33
Hezekiah's Heart Becomes Proud
24In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. So he prayed to the LORD, who spoke to him and gave him a sign.
25But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
26Then Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart—he and the people of Jerusalem—so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.
27Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of valuable articles.
28He also made storehouses for the harvest of grain and new wine and oil, stalls for all kinds of livestock, and pens for the flocks.
29He made cities for himself, and he acquired herds of sheep and cattle in abundance, for God gave him very great wealth.
30It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Spring of Gihon and channeled it down to the west side of the City of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all that he did.
31And so when ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon were sent to him to inquire about the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone to test him, that He might know all that was in Hezekiah’s heart.
32As for the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his deeds of loving devotion, they are indeed written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.
33And Hezekiah rested with his fathers and was buried in the upper tombs of David’s descendants. All Judah and the people of Jerusalem paid him honor at his death. And his son Manasseh reigned in his place.
Berean Standard Bible
Hezekiah becomes mortally ill and prays to the LORD. The LORD answers him and gives him a sign. Hezekiah responds with thanksgiving, and people bring him gifts. His wealth and honor become very great, and he builds storehouses for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and other valuable articles.
Hezekiah also builds cities and acquires flocks and herds in abundance. God gives him great possessions. The account then says that his heart becomes proud, and wrath comes upon him, Judah, and Jerusalem.
Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem humble themselves, so the LORD's wrath does not come upon them during his lifetime. Later, when envoys come from Babylon, God leaves him to test him and to know all that was in his heart. The healing and the test belong in the same story.
Hezekiah rests with his fathers and is buried on the hill where the tombs of David's descendants are. All Judah and Jerusalem honor him at his death. Manasseh succeeds him, and the next chapter will show what the heir does with the kingdom he receives.
Questions
1 What did Hezekiah do when he was ill?
AnswerHe prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered him and gave him a sign.
2 What happened as Hezekiah's wealth increased?
AnswerHis wealth and honor became very great, but his heart became proud.
3 What did Hezekiah and Jerusalem do?
AnswerThey humbled themselves, and the LORD's wrath did not come upon them during Hezekiah's lifetime.
4 Why did God leave Hezekiah during the visit?
AnswerGod left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart.
What This Means for Us
Hezekiah is both a faithful reformer and a man whose success exposes pride. The chapter does not erase his good work, but neither does it let his reputation excuse an unexamined heart.
Blessing can reveal us as clearly as trouble does. After a season of success, ask what you are displaying, defending, and trusting.
Prayer
God, thank you for mercy in illness and help in difficulty. Guard us when life goes well, humble us when pride appears, and make our gratitude more durable than our reputation. Amen.