2 Chronicles 32:20-21
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It's easy to read this and think, "Okay, king and prophet prayed." But notice the progression: they prayed and then they cried out to heaven. This wasn't just a polite request; it signifies a desperate, heartfelt appeal born from recognizing their limited human ability and turning to God in their deepest need.
Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven. And the LORD sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty warriors and commanders and officers in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he came into the house of his god, some of his own sons struck him down there with the sword.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Facing the terrifying threat of the Assyrian army, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah don't immediately strategize military defenses. Instead, their immediate response is to turn their focus upward, bringing their deep distress and the city's peril directly to God in prayer. This act of crying out to heaven sets the stage for God's dramatic intervention and their subsequent deliverance, highlighting their ultimate reliance on divine power.
When faced with an enemy poised to destroy everything, what's your first move? For King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, it wasn't to gather more troops or devise clever strategies, but something far more profound.
The Ultimate Resort
In 2 Chronicles 32, Israel is under direct threat from the mighty Assyrian army, led by the formidable Sennacherib. The situation is dire – Jerusalem is surrounded, and the enemy is mocking their faith.
In this moment of crisis, Hezekiah and Isaiah don't panic. Instead, they turn to the ultimate source of power and hope: God.
A Unified Front
Notice that it's not just one leader, but both the king (the political and military head) and the prophet (the spiritual voice) who unite in prayer. This shows that facing challenges isn't solely a job for the ruler or the preacher; it requires the collective heart and faith of those who lead and those who guide spiritually. Their prayer is described as "cried to heaven," indicating deep urgency and heartfelt desperation. It's a raw, honest appeal to God when all other options seem to fail.
It's one thing to pray, but it's another to see heaven respond. The combination of royal authority and prophetic insight in prayer unlocks incredible divine intervention.
A Royal Decree from Above
When King Hezekiah and Prophet Isaiah prayed, it wasn't just a private moment of solace. Their prayer was a catalyst for God's direct action. The text emphasizes that they prayed "because of this" – meaning, they prayed specifically about the threat from Sennacherib.
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God Hears, God Acts
This unified, urgent prayer prompted a powerful response from God. He didn't just offer comfort; He intervened decisively. The immediate aftermath, though not detailed in this single verse, is a miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem by the angel of the Lord (as seen in the surrounding context of chapter 32). This shows that when leaders, united in faith, bring their deepest concerns to God, the result is not mere emotional release but tangible divine intervention.
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.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal covenant name of the God of Israel. It denotes His self-existence, His faithfulness to His promises, and His redemptive relationship with His people.
mal’āk · Hebrew Noun
A spiritual being who serves as a messenger or agent of God to execute His will, provide protection, or bring judgment. In the Old Testament, the "angel of the LORD" often represents a direct manifestation or special envoy of God Himself.
bōšet · Hebrew Noun
The state of public disgrace, dishonor, or humiliation, often experienced as a result of failure, divine judgment, or the frustration of one's plans against God's people.
This verse captures a pivotal moment of extreme crisis where Hezekiah and Isaiah turn to God in prayer amidst the existential threat of the Assyrian siege, highlighting faith as the ultimate recourse when human defenses fail.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire under Sargon II, marking a significant shift in regional power and leaving Judah isolated. Many Israelites were exiled.
c. 705 BC
Sennacherib Becomes Assyrian King
Sennacherib ascends to the throne of the powerful Assyrian Empire, continuing his father's expansionist policies and posing a direct threat to Judah.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Sennacherib launches a massive campaign against the region, conquering many fortified cities in Judah and putting immense pressure on Jerusalem.
c. 701 BC
Hezekiah Pays Tribute
Facing Sennacherib's overwhelming might after the fall of other Judean cities, King Hezekiah pays a heavy tribute to Assyria in a desperate attempt to save Jerusalem.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
Despite Hezekiah's tribute, Sennacherib breaks his promise and sends his army to besiege Jerusalem, trapping King Hezekiah and the people within the city walls.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention and Assyrian Withdrawal
An angel of the Lord strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight, causing Sennacherib to withdraw his army and lift the siege of Jerusalem. The city is miraculously saved.
This passage shows Elijah's powerful prayer to God, mirroring Hezekiah and Isaiah's prayer in desperation, demonstrating how direct appeals to heaven are effective in critical moments.
Nehemiah 4:4-5Nehemiah's prayer in the face of opposition directly parallels Hezekiah and Isaiah's prayer, highlighting the importance of calling on God for deliverance when facing overwhelming threats and adversaries.
Psalm 50:15This verse is a direct invitation from God to call upon Him in times of trouble, underscoring the very act of Hezekiah and Isaiah praying 'to heaven' as the God-ordained response to their crisis.
Isaiah 37:15-20This passage is Isaiah's own recorded prayer, which is remarkably similar to Hezekiah's, revealing the depth of their shared reliance on God and the specific pleas they brought before Him when threatened by Assyria.
It's easy to read this and think, "Okay, king and prophet prayed." But notice the progression: they prayed and then they cried out to heaven. This wasn't just a polite request; it signifies a desperate, heartfelt appeal born from recognizing their limited human ability and turning to God in their deepest need.
Facing the terrifying threat of the Assyrian army, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah don't immediately strategize military defenses. Instead, their immediate response is to turn their focus upward, bringing their deep distress and the city's peril directly to God in prayer. This act of crying out to heaven sets the stage for God's dramatic intervention and their subsequent deliverance, highlighting their ultimate reliance on divine power.
Facing the terrifying threat of the Assyrian army, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah don't immediately strategize military defenses. Instead, their immediate response is to turn their focus upward, bringing their deep distress and the city's peril directly to God in prayer. This act of crying out to heaven sets the stage for God's dramatic intervention and their subsequent deliverance, highlighting their ultimate reliance on divine power.
"Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven. And the LORD sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty warriors and commanders and officers in the camp of the king of Assyria. So…" — It's easy to read this and think, "Okay, king and prophet prayed." But notice the progression: they prayed and then they cried out to heaven. This wasn't just a polite request; it signifies a d…
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Last reviewed October 2026
