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2 Kings 20:3

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 20:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Remember now, O Jehovah, 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Remember now, O Jehovah, 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.
2 Kings 20:3 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Set thy house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
2Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto Jehovah, saying,
3Remember now, O Jehovah, 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.
4And it came to pass, before Isaiah was gone out into the middle part of the city, that the word of Jehovah came to him, saying,
5Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the prince of my people, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee; on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of Jehovah.
6And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David`s sake.
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“remember now how I have walked before thee, &c.--The course of Hezekiah's thoughts was evidently directed to the promise made to David and his successors on the throne (Kg1 8:25). He had kept the conditions as faithfully as human infirmity admitted; and as he had been all along free from any of those great crimes by which, through the judgment of God, human life was often suddenly cut short, his great grief might arise partly from the love of life, partly from the obscurity of the Mosaic dispensation, where life and immortality had not been fully brought to light, and partly from his plans for the reformation of his kingdom being frustrated by his death. He pleaded the fulfilment of the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Remember now - The old covenant promised temporal prosperity, including length of days, to the righteous. Hezekiah, conscious of his faithfulness and integrity 2 Kings 18:3-6, ventures to expostulate (compare also 2 Kings 21:1 note). According to the highest standard of morality revealed up to this time, there was nothing unseemly in the self vindication of the monarch, which has many parallels in the Psalms of David (Psalms 7:3-10; Psalms 18:19-26; Psalms 26:1-8, etc.). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“In truth - Sincerely with an honest mind. I am not conscious to myself of any gross exorbitances, for which thou usest to shorten mens days. Wept - For that horror of death which is and was common to men, especially, in the times of the Old Testament, when the grace of God in Christ was not so fully manifested, as now it is: and, for the distracted condition in which the church and state were then likely to be left, through the uncertainty of the succession to the crown. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 20:4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“remember: Gen 8:1; Neh 5:19, Neh 13:14, Neh 13:22, Neh 13:31; Psa 25:7, Psa 89:47, Psa 89:50, Psa 119:49; Isa 63:11 I have walked: Kg2 18:3-6; Gen 5:22, Gen 5:24, Gen 17:1; Kg1 2:4, Kg1 3:6; Job 1:1, Job 1:8; Luk 1:6 in truth: Ch2 31:20, Ch2 31:21; Psa 32:2, Psa 145:18; Jer 4:2; Joh 1:47; Co2 1:12; Jo1 3:21, Jo1 3:22 a perfect heart: Kg1 8:61, Kg1 11:4, Kg1 15:14; Ch2 16:9 wept sore: Heb. wept with a great weeping, Sa2 12:21, Sa2 12:22; Psa 6:6, Psa 102:9; Isa 38:14; Heb 5:7 4 Kings (2 Kings) 20:4”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification