FocusHezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The reigns contrast trust, grave unfaithfulness, and reform while the announced judgment on Judah remains in view.
interpretation 2 Kings 20:7
KJVAnd Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
Read it in context
Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery
Start reading at 2 Kings 20:1 (2 Kings 20:1 to 2 Kings 20:11).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The reigns contrast trust, grave unfaithfulness, and reform while the announced judgment on Judah remains in view.
- 20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
- 20:2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,
- 20:3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
- 20:4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
- 20:5 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.
- 20:6 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.
- 20:7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
- 20:8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?
- 20:9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?
- 20:10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
- 20:11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Jeremiah is the traditional Jewish attribution to Kings. The completed work incorporates records of Israel and Judah and events during exile; its final compiler is uncertain. Biblical references: 2 Kings 15:11; 2 Kings 25:27. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Kings 20:1–20:21): Hezekiah hears Isaiah's messages during his illness and after the Babylonian visitors' arrival; the envoys are present in the intervening visit. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The Israelite and Judean community in and after the exile, reflecting on why both kingdoms fell and what remained of the Davidic line. Biblical references: 2 Kings 17:7; 2 Kings 23:27; 2 Kings 25:27. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery. Read 2 Kings 20:1 through 2 Kings 20:11 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The reigns contrast trust, grave unfaithfulness, and reform while the announced judgment on Judah remains in view. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book continues the divided-kingdom histories through Assyria's conquest of Israel and Babylon's conquest of Judah, ending with a notice concerning Jehoiachin. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Israel and Judah, including Samaria and Jerusalem, and ends with exile in Babylon. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery (2 Kings 20:1 to 2 Kings 20:11). Start reading at 2 Kings 20:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus cites the cleansing of Naaman in His discourse at Nazareth. This supplies a specific connection to the book's prophetic narratives and challenges assumptions about privilege. See 2 Kings 5:14, Luke 4:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Hear warnings before repeated refusal hardens into habit. Reform, repentance, and faithfulness should be assessed from the narrated response to God's word, not merely a ruler's reputation. interpretation
Cited: 2 Kings 20:1, 2 Kings 20:11, 2 Kings 5:14, Luke 4:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Jeremiah (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. It cites older court records as sources.
2 Kings 1:182 Kings 15:11
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Jeremiah.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated. The closing events occur during the exile.
Other accounts of this event
Hezekiah's illness and recovery
Parallel accounts
These passages describe overlapping parts of the same event. Each account retains its own wording and emphasis.
Related passages
- Take a lump 2 Kgs 2:20-22 2 Kgs 4:41
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings 20
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
2 Kings 17:7 2 Kings 23:27 2 Kings 25:27
Hezekiah Shows His Treasures
2 Kings 20:12–19FocusHezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah
Connection to the wholeThe reigns contrast trust, grave unfaithfulness, and reform while the announced judgment on Judah remains in view.
interpretation Manasseh Succeeds Hezekiah
2 Kings 20:20–21FocusHezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The reigns contrast trust, grave unfaithfulness, and reform while the announced judgment on Judah remains in view.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin.
2 Kings 17:7 2 Kings 23:27 2 Kings 25:27
Elijah's departure and Elisha's ministry
2 Kings 1:1–8:15FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThe transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation The kingdoms and Israel's fall
2 Kings 8:16–17:41FocusRoyal succession, reform, and persistent sin
Connection to the wholeThe accounts of the kings culminate in Assyria's conquest of Israel and an extended explanation of the disaster.
interpretation FocusHezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah
Connection to the wholeThe reigns contrast trust, grave unfaithfulness, and reform while the announced judgment on Judah remains in view.
interpretation Jerusalem falls and Judah is exiled
2 Kings 23:31–25:30FocusDestruction and a final note of favor
Connection to the wholeBabylon's conquest ends the kingdom's rule in Jerusalem; the closing notice concerning Jehoiachin leaves the reader beyond the destruction itself.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.