2 Chronicles 32:20
Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's truly striking here isn't just that Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed, but that they cried to heaven. This isn't a quiet, polite request; it's a desperate, heartfelt outpouring, revealing the intense pressure and profound reliance they felt on God when facing overwhelming odds. Their prayer wasn't a formality, but a raw act of surrender and trust in the face of an existential threat.
King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah are facing the terrifying might of the Assyrian army, led by the boastful King Sennacherib, who has already conquered many surrounding nations and is now threatening Jerusalem. After Hezekiah publicly defied Sennacherib, the Assyrians advanced, and the people were filled with fear. In this moment of utter crisis, with no human army capable of stopping the invaders, Hezekiah and Isaiah turn their desperate plea directly to God.
Imagine facing an unstoppable enemy, with your city surrounded and your people terrified. What do you do when human solutions run out?
Verse 20 throws us right into the heart of crisis. Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, had already mocked Jerusalem and its God. Hezekiah and Isaiah weren't just whispering a prayer; they were 'praying because of this and cried to heaven.' This wasn't a casual request. It was a desperate, heartfelt appeal born out of an impossible situation. It shows us that even when circumstances look bleakest, the first and most powerful response is to turn to God.
Who stood beside Hezekiah in this moment? It wasn't just a king, but also a prophet. What does this tell us about godly leadership and prayer?
It's significant that both King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah are mentioned together. Hezekiah represents the leadership and responsibility for the people, while Isaiah represents God's prophetic voice and insight. Their joint prayer signifies that when facing a crisis, faith isn't just a private matter; it's a communal and leadership responsibility. Godly leaders understand their limitations and the supreme power of God, uniting their efforts in prayer.
Understand the original words
nabi · Hebrew Noun
One who acts as God’s spokesperson, declaring His truth, warnings, or future purposes to His people. They are divinely inspired to convey the Word of the Lord.
palal · Hebrew Verb
The act of communicating with God through petition, confession, adoration, or intercession. It is an expression of dependence upon God for His intervention and mercy.
shamayim · Hebrew Noun
The dwelling place of God’s glory and the location of His throne. It represents the realm of God's sovereignty and His transcendent authority over all creation.
The verse captures a critical moment of desperate prayer by Hezekiah and Isaiah, not just against a military threat, but against the overwhelming power of the Assyrian Empire at the height of its dominance.
c. 730 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Kingdom
Assyria, under Tiglath-Pileser III, conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel and deports many inhabitants. This sets a precedent for Assyrian power and aggression in the region.
721 BC
Fall of Samaria
The capital of the northern kingdom, Samaria, falls to Assyrian king Sargon II. This event signifies the end of the northern kingdom and its ten tribes, increasing fear in the southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 705 BC
Sennacherib Becomes Assyrian King
Sennacherib ascends the throne of the vast Assyrian Empire. He vows to continue his predecessors' expansionist policies, setting his sights on the Levant, including Judah.
701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib Invades Judah
Sennacherib launches a massive campaign into the Levant, subjugating rebellious Phoenician and Philistine cities and conquering many Judean cities. Hezekiah finds himself isolated and threatened.
This passage shows Elijah’s powerful prayer to God at a critical moment, mirroring Hezekiah and Isaiah’s prayer in a time of crisis.
Nehemiah 1:11Nehemiah's prayer here is a direct appeal to God, asking for mercy and intervention for his people, which echoes the spirit of Hezekiah and Isaiah’s plea.
Psalm 77:1The psalmist cries out to God with his voice, seeking divine help and remembrance, illustrating the same desperate, heavenward cry found in 2 Chronicles 32:20.
Matthew 11:25Jesus gives thanks because God has hidden spiritual truths from the wise but revealed them to little children, highlighting the humble, dependent posture of prayer described in this verse.
What's truly striking here isn't just that Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed, but that they cried to heaven. This isn't a quiet, polite request; it's a desperate, heartfelt outpouring, revealing the intense pressure and profound reliance they felt on God when facing overwhelming odds. Their prayer wasn't a formality, but a raw act of surrender and trust in the face of an existential threat.
King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah are facing the terrifying might of the Assyrian army, led by the boastful King Sennacherib, who has already conquered many surrounding nations and is now threatening Jerusalem. After Hezekiah publicly defied Sennacherib, the Assyrians advanced, and the people were filled with fear. In this moment of utter crisis, with no human army capable of stopping the invaders, Hezekiah and Isaiah turn their desperate plea directly to God.
King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah are facing the terrifying might of the Assyrian army, led by the boastful King Sennacherib, who has already conquered many surrounding nations and is now threatening Jerusalem. After Hezekiah publicly defied Sennacherib, the Assyrians advanced, and the people were filled with fear. In this moment of utter crisis, with no human army capable of stopping the invaders, Hezekiah and Isaiah turn their desperate plea directly to God.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 2 Chronicles 32:20 is available in the Sola app.
c. 701 BC
Siege of Jerusalem
Sennacherib's army surrounds Jerusalem, demanding Hezekiah's surrender. The city is under immense pressure, with its inhabitants facing starvation and despair.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention and Assyrian Withdrawal
An unexplained disaster strikes the Assyrian camp, leading to a miraculous deliverance for Jerusalem and Sennacherib's hasty retreat. Hezekiah and Isaiah's prayer is answered.
"Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven." — What's truly striking here isn't just that Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed, but that they cried to heaven. This isn't a quiet, polite request; it's a desperate, heartfelt outpouring, revealing the inten…
