Isaiah 38:2-3

Isaiah 38:2-3

[2] Then Hezekiah  turned  his face  toward the wall,  and prayed  unto the LORD,  [3] And said,  Remember  now, O LORD,  I beseech  thee, how I have walked  before  thee in truth  and with a perfect  heart,  and have done  that which is good  in thy sight.  And Hezekiah  wept  sore. 

What does Isaiah 38:2-3 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Perhaps Hezekiah turned his face to the wall to concentrate or to make his prayer private. Perhaps he felt completely devastated and withdrew into himself (cf. Deuteronomy 7:12-1549). He requested God"s mercy in the form of lengthened life, though he did not voice the request in so many words. He based his appeal on his godly walk before God and his wholehearted devotion to God. Hezekiah was a good king who reformed his nation spiritually (cf2Chronicles29-31). He appealed for longer life on the basis of his godliness, because God promised to bless the godly who lived under the Old Covenant with long life ( Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:33; 1715117504_1; Deuteronomy 30:16). His bitter tears showed the depth of his sorrow. He would apparently die without an heir to the throne, in the full strength of his manhood, and with his nation in an unsettled state.