Reading 70 | The Bible in 100 Passages

Sunday, November 23, 2025  

Today's Scripture
2 Kings 18:1–12

In the third year of King Hoshea son of Elah of Israel, Hezekiah son of King Ahaz of Judah began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord just as his ancestor David had done. He removed the high places, broke down the pillars, and cut down the sacred pole. He broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it; it was called Nehushtan. He trusted in the Lord the God of Israel; so that there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah after him, or among those who were before him. For he held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following him but kept the commandments that the Lord commanded Moses. The Lord was with him; wherever he went, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and would not serve him. He attacked the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.

In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of King Hoshea son of Elah of Israel, King Shalmaneser of Assyria came up against Samaria, besieged it, and at the end of three years, took it. In the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of King Hoshea of Israel, Samaria was taken. The king of Assyria carried the Israelites away to Assyria, settled them in Halah, on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord their God but transgressed his covenant — all that Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded; they neither listened nor obeyed. (NRSV)

Reflection

This is a confusing passage! Too many names, teams, and statistics about who is good, bad, and should be traded. The main point of this story is that Hezekiah was a leader who was intentional about choosing to follow God. He kept God’s standards, like the good kings before him. He destroyed anything that smelled idolatrous. Verses 5–7 are the main points of this passage: Hezekiah put his whole trust in God and obeyed everything God had commanded Moses. Because of this God was with him. 

It’s difficult to find relevance for this passage in my life. But I know Jesus tells us in Mark 12 that the greatest commandments are loving God with our whole selves and loving our neighbors as we would want to be loved. (The Junior High Youth add a caveat that we actually need to pay attention to how others want to be loved, because it may not be the same way we want to!). This instruction from Jesus is my jumping-off point for how to interpret this passage for my life. Am I following God with all that I have? Do I seek the Spirit in times of need, worry, great tragedy, fear, etc.? How do I stand firm when everything is going wrong or the circumstances seem overwhelming and impossible, like it did for Hezekiah and the people of Judah? 

It is hard to trust God in the difficult moments. It is hard to trust when our neighbors are living in fear of not having enough food, or paying for medical care, or worrying about who might show up at their door, or how to care for their loved ones. It begins with a prayer asking for eyes to see the needs around us. 

Prayer

Lord of grace and mercy, will you open my eyes to the people I pass each day. May I see my neighbors, and may you fill my heart with love that is active, empathetic, and kind. Risen Christ, may I be your hands and feet in this world. Amen.

Written by Nance Bartell, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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