2 Kings 20
The Wars in 2 Samuel 20 focuses on records of wars and victories that took place during the reign of King David of Israel. In particular, it describes battles against the descendants of Ammon and fights with the Philistines and the giants. The chapter especially highlights how Israel wins in its battles against surrounding hostile nations with God’s help, as well as the records of David’s brave warriors.
1verseIn those days Hezekiah was sick and dying. Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “The LORD says, ‘Set your house in order; for you will die, and not live.’”
2verseThen he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying,
3verse“Remember now, LORD, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4verseBefore Isaiah had gone out into the middle part of the city, the LORD’s word came to him, saying,
5verse“Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people, ‘The LORD, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you will go up to the LORD’s house.
6verseI will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.”’”
7verseIsaiah said, “Take a cake of figs.” They took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
8verseHezekiah said to Isaiah, “What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I will go up to the LORD’s house the third day?”
9verseIsaiah said, “This will be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he has spoken: should the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?”
10verseHezekiah answered, “It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. No, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.”
11verseIsaiah the prophet cried to the LORD; and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz.
12verseAt that time Berodach Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
13verseHezekiah listened to them, and showed them all the storehouse of his precious things—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, and the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, or in all his dominion, that Hezekiah didn’t show them.
14verseThen Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? From where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come from a far country, even from Babylon.”
15verseHe said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.”
16verseIsaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the LORD’s word.
17verse‘Behold, the days come that all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have laid up in store to this day, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says the LORD.
18verse‘They will take away some of your sons who will issue from you, whom you will father; and they will be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’”
19verseThen Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The LORD’s word which you have spoken is good.” He said moreover, “Isn’t it so, if peace and truth will be in my days?”
20verseNow the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made the pool, and the conduit, and brought water into the city, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
21verseHezekiah slept with his fathers, and Manasseh his son reigned in his place.
Structure and Flow
- Verses 1-3: There is a record of the process of capturing Rabbah, the city of the Ammonite descendants, and of the spoils of war. In this section, David clearly shows his role as the head of the war, wearing the crown on his head.
- Verses 4-8: The battles against the Philistines and giants from Gath continue. In these fights, not only David but also his officials and warriors play major roles, and scenes of defeating the giants are presented. Among the many wars in David’s time, it emphasizes that even the giants—who were the objects of fear—are all brought down.
Main Meaning of the Text
This chapter suggests that as the kingdom of David repeatedly won battles against nearby powerful nations, God was with them throughout the process. The victories over Ammon, the Philistines, and the giants likely filled the community of Israel with holy courage and hope. Also, since it shows that not only David but his warriors joined in God’s work, it invites us to think about the importance of cooperation and obedience within the community.
Points for Reflection
- Let us reflect on what kind of victory it means to experience together as a community with God, rather than fighting our own battles in the battlefield of life.
- We can also remember that we can win when God is with us, without being afraid because of human ability or size.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- In times of difficulty, instead of trying to solve everything by myself, I learn that I should rely on God and adopt an attitude of collaborating with the people who are with me.
- If there are “giants” of fear in my life, I can do my best in the place I’m given and put into practice prayers that ask for God’s help.
As part of Coupang Partners activities, this post may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
