The Family Tree Hezekiah: The Praying King Kile Baker December 8,, 2024 Jesus’ Family Tree: Exploring God’s perfect plan through imperfect people. 2 Kings 18: 1-6 In the third year of Israel’s King Hoshea son of Elah, Hezekiah son of Ahaz became king of Judah. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi daughter of Zechariah. 3 He did what was right in the Lord’s sight just as his ancestor David had done. 4 He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake that Moses made, for until then the Israelites were burning incense to it. It was called Nehushtan. 5 Hezekiah relied on the Lord God of Israel; not one of the kings of Judah was like him, either before him or after him. 6 He remained faithful to the Lord and did not turn from following him but kept the commands the Lord had commanded Moses. 2 Kings 18:9-37 summary In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Israel’s King Hoshea son of Elah, Assyria’s King Shalmaneser marched against Samaria and besieged it. 10 The Assyrians captured it at the end of three years. In the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Israel’s King Hoshea, Samaria was captured. 11 The king of Assyria deported the Israelites to Assyria and put them in Halah, along the Habor (Gozan’s river), and in the cities of the Medes, 12 because they did not listen to the Lord their God but violated his covenant ​— ​all he had commanded Moses the servant of the Lord. They did not listen, and they did not obey. 13 In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Assyria’s King Sennacherib attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. 17 Then the king of Assyria sent the field marshal, the chief of staff, and his royal spokesman, along with a massive army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. 28 The royal spokesman stood and called out loudly in Hebrew: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria. 29 This is what the king says: ‘Don’t let Hezekiah deceive you; he can’t rescue you from my power. 30 Don’t let Hezekiah persuade you to rely on the Lord by saying, “Certainly the Lord will rescue us! This city will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.” ’ Hezekiah’s 1st prayer: “Offer a prayer for the surviving remnant.” (2 Kings 18:4) Hezekiah’s 2nd prayer: “Save us…so the earth may know that you, Lord, are God—you alone.” (2 Kings 19:19) Hezekiah’s 3rd prayer: “Please, Lord, remember how I have walked before you faithfully and wholeheartedly and have done what pleases you.” (2 Kings 20:3) Lessons from Hezekiah’s life: God honors those who turn back to Him even when everyone else has turned their back on Him. There may be no greater evidence of faith than to turn to God in hope of the miraculous. The power of hubris must continually be defeated by the humility cultivated through prayer. How to pray like a king: Before you worry, seek the wise counsel of someone who’s walked with God for many years. Recruit a SBOD: Recruit three people who are wise beyond their years, have walked with God for years, and who want the best for you in your upcoming years Put the power of pride to death through a consist prayer life. Pray once a day: “God, you must become greater, I must become less.”