King Hezekiah
Ilumi Kids · Stories
There was a king in Judah named Hezekiah. He loved God with all his heart and wanted to do what was right. At that time, many people were worshiping statues made of stone and wood, forgetting about the one true God.
Hezekiah was brave! He ordered all the idols to be broken and cleaned the Lord's temple. He taught the people to trust God again, just like their ancestors had done.
King Hezekiah destroyed the idols and taught the people to trust in God. When the huge Assyrian army surrounded Jerusalem and mocked the Lord, Hezekiah went to the temple to pray. That night, the angel of the Lord defeated the enemy army. Later, when he was sick, Hezekiah prayed again, and God gave him fifteen more years of life.
Where it is in the Bible: 2 Kings 18—20
When we are afraid, the best thing we can do is bring the problem to God in prayer.
After reading, use these questions to help your child remember and apply the story.
There was a king in Judah named Hezekiah. He loved God with all his heart and wanted to do what was right. At that time, many people were worshiping statues made of stone and wood, forgetting about the one true God.
Hezekiah was brave! He ordered all the idols to be broken and cleaned the Lord's temple. He taught the people to trust God again, just like their ancestors had done.
One day, a huge and scary army from the king of Assyria surrounded the city of Jerusalem. The enemy general shouted at the people on the walls, trying to make them afraid.
He made fun of God, saying that He wasn't strong enough to save the people of Jerusalem. Everyone in the city was terrified, because the Assyrian army seemed unbeatable.
Assyrian General: Don't let Hezekiah fool you! No god has been able to save his people from my hand. How will your God be able to?
King Hezekiah's heart was very sad when he heard those words. He tore his clothes, went to God's temple, and prayed. He spread the enemy's threatening letter before the Lord.
In his prayer, Hezekiah didn't ask to be saved because he was a good king. He asked God to save His people so that everyone in the world would know that only the Lord is God. He trusted completely in God's power.
God heard Hezekiah's prayer! That very night, something wonderful happened. An angel of the Lord quietly came to the enemy army's camp.
The next morning, when the people of Jerusalem woke up, the Assyrian army had been defeated! The enemy king returned to his land ashamed. God saved His city in a miraculous way, showing that He is the most powerful of all.
The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear him, and he saves them. — Psalm 34:7
Some time later, King Hezekiah became very sick. The prophet Isaiah told him that he was going to die. Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, cried, and prayed to God, reminding Him of how he had always tried to be faithful.
God heard his prayer and sent Isaiah back. He would give Hezekiah 15 more years of life! To prove this, God performed a miracle: He made the sun's shadow go back ten steps. Hezekiah was healed and praised God for His goodness and power.
