What Does 2 Kings 20:5-6 Mean?
2 Kings 20:5-6
“Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake."
QUICK ANSWER
God tells Hezekiah that He will heal him and add fifteen years to his life. Hezekiah had prayed earnestly for healing, and God's answer is delivered to him by the prophet Isaiah.
CONTEXT
Hezekiah is seriously ill. Isaiah has come to deliver a message of impending death. With the end of his life in view, Hezekiah turns his face to the wall, prays, and weeps before the Lord. He reminded him that he has walked "before him in truth and with a perfect heart." God answers his prayer and sends Isaiah back to announce a miraculous healing and extension of his life.
BASIC BREAKDOWN
“Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people,
After giving Hezekiah bad news, God is telling Isaiah to "turn again" and deliver a new message to him.
Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father,
The same God that was faithful to David is the same God who is now taking care of him.
I have heard thy prayer,
God is alive. He can hear us.
I have seen thy tears:
He can also see Hezekiah's sincerity in this matter.
behold, I will heal thee:
This is a direct result of Hezekiah's prayer to God. Almighty God has chosen to heal him of his life threatening illness (and added 15 years to his life).
on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.”
After three days of recovery, he would be able to return to God's house to worship him there again.
APPLICATION
II Kings 20:5–6 shows that God hears our prayers and responds with compassion and power. When Hezekiah cried out in his sickness, God saw his tears and granted him better health and more time, reminding us that our prayers truly matter to Him. It encourages us to turn to God in times of need, trusting that He is both willing and able to help. Even in difficult situations, God can bring healing, restoration, and renewed purpose.
RELATED VERSES
Isaiah 38:5 - "Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years."
2 Chronicles 32:24 - "In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign."
Psalm 30:2 - "O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me."
James 5:15 - "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."
Psalm 118:17 - "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD."
