After a good beginning, King Hezekiah has a bit of a hiccup at the end. First, Isaiah tells him he’s going to die:

Some time later Hezekiah became deathly sick. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz paid him a visit and said, “Put your affairs in order; you’re about to die—you haven’t long to live.”

Hezekiah immediately responds in prayer.

Hezekiah turned from Isaiah and faced GOD, praying: Remember, O GOD, who I am, what I’ve done! I’ve lived an honest life before you, My heart’s been true and steady, I’ve lived to please you; lived for your approval. And then the tears flowed. Hezekiah wept.

God hears and answers together with a promise not to let Jerusalem fall to the Assyrians.

Isaiah, leaving, was not halfway across the courtyard when the word of GOD stopped him: “Go back and tell Hezekiah, prince of my people, ‘GOD’s word, Hezekiah! From the God of your ancestor David: I’ve listened to your prayer and I’ve observed your tears. I’m going to heal you. In three days you will walk on your own legs into The Temple of GOD. I’ve just added fifteen years to your life; I’m saving you from the king of Assyria, and I’m covering this city with my shield—for my sake and my servant David’s sake.’ ” (2 Kings 20.1 – 6, MSG)

Back to the prayer. Why was Hezekiah so upset? On what basis was he praying? I think the answer is in the first verse of 2 Kings 21, describing Hezekiah’s son Manasseh succeeding Hezekiah as king.

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king… (2 Kings 21.1, MSG)

If God gave Hezekiah 15 years, and Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king, Hezekiah didn’t have any sons at the beginning of chapter 20 when he was on his deathbed. David’s line would die out, which was contrary to the promise.

But he did recover and had Manasseh. Then Hezekiah was visited by officials from Babylon, and Hezekiah showed them his wealth, perhaps with a bit of pride. Then the promise changes: Jerusalem won’t fall to the Assyrians, but she will fall to the Babylonians.

Then Isaiah spoke to Hezekiah, “Listen to what GOD has to say about this: The day is coming when everything you own and everything your ancestors have passed down to you, right down to the last cup and saucer, will be cleaned out of here—plundered and packed off to Babylon. GOD’s word! Worse yet, your sons, the progeny of sons you’ve begotten, will end up as eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” (2 Kings 20.16 – 18, MSG)

Why? The 2 Chronicles commentary on this incident is clear:

Some time later Hezekiah became deathly sick. He prayed to GOD and was given a reassuring sign. But the sign, instead of making Hezekiah grateful, made him arrogant. This made GOD angry, and his anger spilled over on Judah and Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 32.24 – 26, MSG)

We have a choice between gratitude and arrogance. I pray Donald Trump chooses well after the attempted assassination. I pray that we choose well.

…although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful… (Romans 1.21, NKJV)

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (Daniel 4.37, ESV)