About this time King Hezekiah became sick and almost died. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him and said to him, “The Lord tells you that you are to put everything in order, because you will not recover. Get ready to die.”
One (very last) task to take care of… I’ll need to start thinking of this.
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed: “Remember, Lord, that I have served you faithfully and loyally and that I have always tried to do what you wanted me to.” And he began to cry bitterly.
I also, Lord – but contrary to Hezekiah, I don’t want to linger on this planet.
“I, the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and in three days you will go to the Temple. I will let you live fifteen years longer.”
As for me, only if I can be useful to you, Father (Philippiens 1::20-25).
“I will rescue you and this city Jerusalem from the emperor of Assyria. I will defend this city, for the sake of my own honor and because of the promise I made to my servant David.”
So “About this time” means prior to 2 Kings 19:35-37. I can’t imagine the consequences of losing a leader during this time of crisis!
Then Isaiah told the king’s attendants to put on his boil a paste made of figs, and he would get well.
A bit like John 9:6-7 and 2 Kings 5:14. Better the Roman officer in Luke 7:6-10?
King Hezekiah asked, “What is the sign to prove that the Lord will heal me and that three days later I will be able to go to the Temple?”
Really?! He couldn’t wait 3 days to see without having a sign beforehand?
Isaiah prayed to the Lord, and the Lord made the shadow go back ten steps on the stairway set up by King Ahaz.
Interesting. I wonder how? An optical illusion or did the sun actually change course as in Joshua 10:12-13.