This verse from 2 Chronicles 32:24 tells us about a significant event in the life of King Hezekiah:
"In those days Hezekiah was terminally ill...": This establishes that Hezekiah, the King of Judah, was suffering from a life-threatening illness. The phrase "terminally ill" implies that his condition was considered incurable or fatal by the medical understanding of the time.
"...and he prayed to Yahweh...": Hezekiah turned to God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God) in his distress. This highlights his faith and reliance on God in a time of crisis. Prayer was his first response to a seemingly hopeless situation.
"...and he spoke to him...": This suggests that God responded to Hezekiah's prayer. The nature of this "speaking" isn't explicitly detailed here, but it implies divine communication. It could have been a prophetic word, a dream, an internal assurance, or another form of communication.
"...and gave him a sign.": God not only heard Hezekiah's prayer but also provided a "sign" to confirm His favor and answer. The exact nature of the sign is elaborated on in other passages (specifically Isaiah 38:7-8, which parallels this account). The sign was the backward movement of the shadow on the sundial. This sign served as a visible confirmation to Hezekiah that God had heard him and would heal him.
In summary, this verse highlights:
Hezekiah's faith and prayer in the face of death.
God's responsiveness to prayer.
God's willingness to provide confirmation and assurance through a sign.
The broader context of the story (found in both 2 Kings 20 and Isaiah 38) reveals that God granted Hezekiah an extension of his life, adding 15 years to it. The sign of the sundial was a powerful demonstration of God's power and faithfulness to His promise.
This verse from 2 Chronicles 32:24 tells us about a significant event in the life of King Hezekiah:
"In those days Hezekiah was terminally ill...": This establishes that Hezekiah, the King of Judah, was suffering from a life-threatening illness. The phrase "terminally ill" implies that his condition was considered incurable or fatal by the medical understanding of the time.
"...and he prayed to Yahweh...": Hezekiah turned to God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God) in his distress. This highlights his faith and reliance on God in a time of crisis. Prayer was his first response to a seemingly hopeless situation.
"...and he spoke to him...": This suggests that God responded to Hezekiah's prayer. The nature of this "speaking" isn't explicitly detailed here, but it implies divine communication. It could have been a prophetic word, a dream, an internal assurance, or another form of communication.
"...and gave him a sign.": God not only heard Hezekiah's prayer but also provided a "sign" to confirm His favor and answer. The exact nature of the sign is elaborated on in other passages (specifically Isaiah 38:7-8, which parallels this account). The sign was the backward movement of the shadow on the sundial. This sign served as a visible confirmation to Hezekiah that God had heard him and would heal him.
In summary, this verse highlights:
Hezekiah's faith and prayer in the face of death.
God's responsiveness to prayer.
God's willingness to provide confirmation and assurance through a sign.
The broader context of the story (found in both 2 Kings 20 and Isaiah 38) reveals that God granted Hezekiah an extension of his life, adding 15 years to it. The sign of the sundial was a powerful demonstration of God's power and faithfulness to His promise.