2 Kings 18:1 kjv
Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
2 Kings 18:1 nkjv
Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea the son of Elah, king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign.
2 Kings 18:1 niv
In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
2 Kings 18:1 esv
In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign.
2 Kings 18:1 nlt
Hezekiah son of Ahaz began to rule over Judah in the third year of King Hoshea's reign in Israel.
2 Kings 18 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Ki 16:20 | So Ahaz rested with his fathers... and Hezekiah his son reigned in his place. | Hezekiah's succession after Ahaz. |
| 2 Ki 17:1 | In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria... | Hoshea's contemporary reign in Israel. |
| 2 Ki 17:6 | In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria... | The fall of Israel during Hoshea's reign. |
| 2 Ki 18:3-4 | And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord... he removed the high places... | Hezekiah's immediate righteous reforms. |
| 2 Chr 29:1 | Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned for twenty-nine years... | Biographical details of Hezekiah. |
| 2 Chr 29:3-5 | In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. | Hezekiah's quick action to restore temple. |
| 2 Ki 20:21 | ...and Hezekiah rested with his fathers. Then Manasseh his son reigned in his place. | End of Hezekiah's reign. |
| Isa 7:1-9 | The events during Ahaz's reign concerning Judah and Israel. | Pre-Hezekiah context for Judah and Israel. |
| Isa 36:1-3 | Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah... | Synchronism with Assyrian invasion. |
| Mic 1:1 | The word of the Lord that came to Micah... in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah... | Prophetic contemporary to Hezekiah. |
| Prov 25:1 | These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. | Hezekiah's patronage of wisdom literature. |
| Jer 1:3 | ...It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah... | Another example of biblical synchronism. |
| 2 Chr 28:1-2 | Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem... | Wickedness of Hezekiah's father, Ahaz. |
| 2 Chr 32:27-30 | Hezekiah had very great riches and honor... | Hezekiah's prosperity and building works. |
| 1 Ki 14:21 | Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah... | Typical royal reign commencement formula. |
| Mt 1:9 | Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, Joram begot Uzziah, Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, Ahaz begot Hezekiah. | Hezekiah in the genealogy of Jesus. |
| Luke 3:23-38 | Extended genealogy including Davidic kings. | Places Hezekiah within a broader salvation history. |
| Gen 1:1 | In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. | Introduction to creation, similar "came to pass" framing. |
| Exod 1:1 | Now these are the names of the children of Israel... | Beginning of Exodus, narrative framing. |
| Judg 1:1 | Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass... | Chronological marker for new era. |
| 2 Sam 7:12-16 | When your days are fulfilled... I will set up your seed after you... and I will establish his kingdom. | Davidic covenant promise, Hezekiah as a Davidic king. |
| Deut 18:18 | I will raise up for them a Prophet like you... | Future prophetic figures relevant to Davidic line. |
2 Kings 18 verses
2 Kings 18 1 Meaning
This verse chronologically situates the commencement of Hezekiah's reign as king of Judah in the third year of Hoshea, king of Israel. It serves as an introductory verse, immediately preceding the detailed account of Hezekiah's reign, his significant reforms, and the dramatic events concerning Judah's interaction with the Assyrian Empire, notably the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel which occurred during Hezekiah's early years.
2 Kings 18 1 Context
2 Kings 18:1 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, introducing King Hezekiah of Judah, one of the most highly praised monarchs in the lineage of David. This verse immediately follows 2 Kings 17, which culminates in the devastating account of the Northern Kingdom of Israel's fall and exile by Assyria, under King Shalmaneser V and then Sargon II. The synchronistic dating—placing Hezekiah's ascent to the throne of Judah during the reign of Hoshea, the last king of Israel—is crucial. It implies that while God's judgment was falling heavily upon Israel for its idolatry and disobedience, a new hope for spiritual reformation and divine faithfulness was emerging in Judah through Hezekiah. This provides a striking contrast: judgment on one kingdom, potential restoration for the other. Historically, the entire Near East was under the formidable shadow of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Hezekiah's reign would witness Judah's critical confrontation with this superpower, a testament to his trust in God amidst immense external pressures.
2 Kings 18 1 Word analysis
Now it came to pass (Hebrew: וַיְהִי, vayhi): A very common introductory phrase in biblical Hebrew narrative, known as the "waw consecutive" (or "waw-relative"). It functions as a temporal connector, linking the current event to what has preceded and introducing new developments. It emphasizes historical continuity and the progression of God's redemptive plan through history.
in the third year: Specifies the precise chronological setting for the start of Hezekiah's reign. This attention to detail highlights the Bible's historical meticulousness, allowing for dating relative to known events in Israelite and broader ancient Near Eastern history.
of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel: Identifies the reigning king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel at the time. This detail provides an anchor for synchronized chronology.
- Hoshea (Hebrew: הוֹשֵׁעַ, Hoshea'): Meaning "Salvation" or "He saves." This name holds tragic irony, as Israel ultimately falls during his reign, failing to be saved from Assyrian captivity. He was the last of Israel's kings, known for his rebellious actions against Assyria which led to his kingdom's downfall.
- son of Elah: Indicates his lineage, a common way to identify rulers. Elah himself was not a king.
- king of Israel: Distinguishes him as the ruler of the northern, ten-tribe kingdom, separating it from the southern kingdom of Judah.
that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah: Introduces the central figure of the subsequent narrative.
- Hezekiah (Hebrew: חִזְקִיָּהוּ, Chizqiyyahu): Meaning "Yahweh strengthens" or "My strength is Yahweh." This name is highly significant and prophetic for Hezekiah's reign, where his unwavering trust in God, especially against Assyrian threats, becomes a defining characteristic. His name perfectly reflects the divine source of his strength and success.
- the son of Ahaz: Identifies Hezekiah's father, the previous king of Judah. This lineage is crucial: Ahaz was one of Judah's most unfaithful and idolatrous kings (2 Ki 16), making Hezekiah's immediate righteous reforms (2 Ki 18:3-6) all the more remarkable and demonstrating God's grace in raising up a godly leader from an ungodly heritage. This also presents a subtle polemic against the idea that spiritual destiny is purely inherited.
- king of Judah: Identifies him as the ruler of the Southern Kingdom, highlighting the ongoing political division of the Hebrew people.
began to reign: (Hebrew: מָלַךְ, malakh, to rule as king) A standard royal formula signifying the formal commencement of a monarch's rule. This phrase initiates the narrative of his entire period in power, setting the stage for the achievements and challenges he would face.
"in the third year of Hoshea... Hezekiah... began to reign.": This specific synchronism is not merely a chronological detail; it is deeply significant. Hoshea's reign concludes with the downfall of Israel, illustrating God's judgment on persistent unfaithfulness (2 Ki 17:1-6). Hezekiah's reign begins precisely as this judgment is unfolding. This juxtaposition highlights that while one kingdom faces ruin due to its ungodliness, God provides a path to restoration and revival for another, contingent on its leaders' faithfulness. This emphasizes God's sovereign control over nations and their destinies, offering hope for Judah despite the demise of its northern kin.
2 Kings 18 1 Bonus section
The dating in 2 Kings 18:1, combined with 2 Kings 17:1 and 2 Kings 18:9-10 (which dates the fall of Samaria to Hoshea's seventh and ninth years, respectively), creates a complex but internally consistent chronology within the Books of Kings. Biblical scholars often study these syncronisms to establish the precise dating of kings and events, frequently reconciling slight numerical discrepancies through considerations of co-regencies, accession-year calculations, or different calendar systems (e.g., Nisan-based vs. Tishri-based). The Bible's consistent presentation of such details across various books, despite their complexity, underscores its historical reliability and divine oversight of the record. Hezekiah's reign, therefore, is not only chronologically situated but also strategically placed to illustrate God's active involvement in the unfolding history of His people.
2 Kings 18 1 Commentary
2 Kings 18:1 initiates the account of King Hezekiah of Judah, portraying him as a figure of significant spiritual renewal amidst profound national turmoil. By explicitly linking his accession to the third year of Hoshea, the last king of Israel, the verse establishes a critical chronological and theological context. While Hoshea's rule culminated in Israel's catastrophic judgment and exile at the hands of Assyria, Hezekiah’s immediate actions demonstrated a sharp contrast, leading Judah towards repentance and religious reformation. This synchronism serves as a powerful biblical reminder that God's judgment and His mercy can operate concurrently in history, showcasing divine justice for disobedience (Israel) and divine grace and opportunity for faithfulness (Judah under Hezekiah). Hezekiah's name, "Yahweh strengthens," became the bedrock of his courageous reign, reflecting his profound trust in God amidst the formidable Assyrian threat, which threatened to engulf Judah just as it had swallowed Israel. This verse, therefore, sets the stage for one of the most compelling narratives of faith, reformation, and divine intervention in the Old Testament.