King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 20:3 Mean?

2 Kings 20:3 in the King James Version says “I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now 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. sore: Heb. with a great weeping”

2 Kings 20:3 · KJV

Truth

Context

1

In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Set: Heb. Give charge concerning thine house

2

Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,

3

I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now 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. sore: Heb. with a great weeping

4

And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court , that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, court: or, city

5

Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, 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 the LORD.

Read 2 Kings 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now 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.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 20 takes place during Hezekiah's reign in Judah, late 8th century BCE, around 715-686 BCE. The chapter's theme (Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery) reflects the historical reality of genuine religious reform under Hezekiah, including trust in God that resulted in miraculous deliverance from Assyria. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 20 regarding god's mercy and human presumption?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אָנָּ֣ה1 of 18

“I beseech”

H577

oh now!

יְהוָ֗ה2 of 18

“thee O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

זְכָר3 of 18

“remember”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

נָ֞א4 of 18
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אֵ֣ת5 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁ֧ר6 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִתְהַלַּ֣כְתִּי7 of 18

“now how I have walked”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְפָנֶ֗יךָ8 of 18

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בֶּֽאֱמֶת֙9 of 18

“thee in truth”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

וּבְלֵבָ֣ב10 of 18

“heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

שָׁלֵ֔ם11 of 18

“and with a perfect”

H8003

complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly

וְהַטּ֥וֹב12 of 18

“that which is good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ13 of 18

“in thy sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

עָשִׂ֑יתִי14 of 18

“and have done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ15 of 18

“wept”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ16 of 18

“And Hezekiah”

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

בְּכִ֥י17 of 18
H1065

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

גָדֽוֹל׃18 of 18

“sore”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 20:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 20:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 13:22Nehemiah 13:14Nehemiah 5:192 Kings 18:3-6Nehemiah 13:31Luke 1:6

Test Your Knowledge

2 Kings 20 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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