2 Kings 18 6

2 Kings 18:6 kjv

For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.

2 Kings 18:6 nkjv

For he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses.

2 Kings 18:6 niv

He held fast to the LORD and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses.

2 Kings 18:6 esv

For he held fast to the LORD. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the LORD commanded Moses.

2 Kings 18:6 nlt

He remained faithful to the LORD in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the LORD had given Moses.

2 Kings 18 verses

2 Kings 18 6 Meaning

2 Kings 18:6 describes King Hezekiah's unwavering devotion to the LORD, signifying his steadfast faithfulness. He did not deviate from the path of obedience but meticulously observed the commandments that the LORD had given to Moses. This verse emphasizes his exceptional spiritual integrity and consistent adherence to God's revealed law.

2 Kings 18 6 Context

King Hezekiah's reign marks a significant spiritual turnaround for the Kingdom of Judah. Preceding him, his father King Ahaz (2 Kgs 16) had led Judah into deep idolatry, even sacrificing his own son in fire (2 Kgs 16:3) and seeking foreign alliances instead of trusting the LORD. Hezekiah's immediate predecessor was known for desecrating the temple and introducing pagan altars throughout Judah. Therefore, 2 Kings 18:6 acts as a profound contrast and commendation, setting the spiritual foundation for Hezekiah's reforms described later in this chapter (e.g., removal of high places, smashing the Asherah, breaking the bronze serpent Nehushtan). This verse is a summary statement of his righteous character and personal faith which then propelled his public actions, portraying him as a king truly devoted to the God of Israel in an era of widespread apostasy. Historically, Hezekiah's reign occurred during the period of growing Assyrian threat, which adds depth to his faithfulness as trust in the LORD was critical for Judah's survival against the superpower.

2 Kings 18 6 Word analysis

• For he held fast: (וַיִּדְבַּק way·yiḏ·baq)

  • dāḇaq (דבק): This Hebrew verb signifies "to cling," "to cleave," "to stick fast," "to remain close," or "to pursue closely." It denotes an active, committed, and persistent attachment, often used in deeply relational contexts like marriage (Gen 2:24) or spiritual devotion (Deut 4:4).
  • Its use here implies Hezekiah's deep, personal, and abiding commitment to the LORD, far beyond mere lip service or ritualistic observance. This was a core choice to dedicate himself to God, demonstrating profound loyalty. It strongly implies a polemic against the fickle, polytheistic worship prevalent in the region, which often involved changing allegiances based on political expediency or perceived immediate benefits. Hezekiah’s "clinging" contrasts sharply with the way other nations (and Judah under Ahaz) "clung" to foreign deities or alliances.

• to the LORD: (בַּֽיהוָה֙ bay·hwāh)

  • YHWH (יהוה): The sacred, covenantal name of God. This specificity underscores that Hezekiah's devotion was exclusively to the God of Israel, not a generic deity or one of the many Baal/Asherah figures his predecessors worshipped. This highlights his monotheistic conviction and is a clear polemic against the syncretism that often blended Yahweh worship with pagan practices, prevalent especially in Canaanite religions.

• he did not depart from following Him: (לֹא־סָ֣ר מֵאַחֲרָ֑יו lō-sār mê·’a·ḥă·rāw)

  • sûr (סור): Hebrew verb meaning "to turn aside," "to remove," or "to deviate." The negative lō ("not") emphatically states that Hezekiah maintained a consistent course.
  • mê’aḥărayw: Lit. "from behind Him" or "from after Him." Implies staying directly on the path God has set, not turning to the left or right. It suggests a journey or a persistent following in God's footsteps.
  • This phrase reinforces "held fast," adding the dimension of unwavering perseverance. Many kings of Judah would begin well but later stray (e.g., Solomon, Rehoboam, Joash, Amaziah), but Hezekiah's resolve is presented as unbroken. This provides a strong moral and spiritual example contrasting with previous idolatrous practices and compromises, asserting that true leadership involves unswerving loyalty.

• but kept the commandments: (וַיִּשְׁמֹר֙ מִצְוֹתָיו֙ way·yiš·mōr miṣ·wō·ṯāw)

  • šāmar (שמר): Hebrew verb meaning "to keep," "to guard," "to observe," "to preserve," or "to watch over." It signifies active and diligent obedience.
  • miṣwōtāyw (מִצְוֹתָיו): "His commandments." Refers to the divine instructions and laws.
  • This demonstrates that Hezekiah’s faithfulness was not just internal loyalty but expressed through tangible obedience to God’s law. This points to a holistic faith encompassing heart (held fast) and action (kept the commandments). This active adherence directly counteracted the lax observance and direct violation of the Torah prevalent under Ahaz, signaling a return to covenant fidelity.

• of which the LORD had commanded Moses: (אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ ’ă·šer ṣiw·wāh Yah·weh ’eṯ-Mō·šeh)

  • ṣiwwāh (צוה): Hebrew verb "to command," "to ordain."
  • Mōšeh (מֹשֶֽׁה): Moses. This clearly ties Hezekiah's obedience to the foundational Mosaic Covenant, which included the Law (Torah). It legitimizes his reforms not as innovations but as a faithful restoration of divinely ordained principles given at Sinai. This emphasis grounds his religious reform in historical and covenantal legitimacy, contrasting his adherence to God's revealed truth with contemporary pagan practices and invented religious systems. It’s a polemic against the idea that God’s instructions could be supplemented, altered, or replaced by foreign customs or human traditions.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him": This strong coupling highlights both internal loyalty and external steadfastness. It paints a picture of comprehensive devotion – an intimate, unwavering commitment that translates into continuous action without deviation. It's an active, ongoing relationship characterized by adherence and non-deviation, implying a dynamic rather than static faith.

• "but kept the commandments of which the LORD had commanded Moses": This second phrase clarifies the practical manifestation and authoritative source of Hezekiah's "holding fast." It connects his personal devotion directly to the established, immutable law of God given through Moses. This validates his religious reform as a genuine return to Mosaic Law, standing in stark opposition to the corrupting influences and invented religions that had become rampant in Judah.

2 Kings 18 6 Bonus section

• Hezekiah is one of only two kings (the other being Josiah, 2 Kgs 23:25) of Judah concerning whom no negative spiritual commentary is recorded in the Deuteronomistic History (Judges, Samuel, Kings). His character is praised consistently.
• The description of Hezekiah "holding fast to the LORD" stands in deliberate contrast to the failures of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which went into exile largely because they "did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they had made, and in the statutes of the house of Jeroboam" (2 Kgs 17:19-20). Hezekiah represents the hope for Judah not to follow the same path of apostasy.
• This verse provides the theological grounding for Hezekiah's bold actions later in the chapter, such as the destruction of the high places and the breaking of the bronze serpent (Nehushtan), which had become an object of idolatry (2 Kgs 18:4). His actions were not arbitrary but stemmed directly from his foundational adherence to God's command not to make carved images or worship other gods.
• Hezekiah’s consistent faith in this verse becomes a direct explanation for the LORD being with him (2 Kgs 18:7) and his success in various ventures. This illustrates the principle of divine blessing accompanying obedience.

2 Kings 18 6 Commentary

2 Kings 18:6 succinctly encapsulates the exceptional character of King Hezekiah, distinguishing him sharply from many of his predecessors, including his idolatrous father, Ahaz. His reign is set apart by a profound and consistent spiritual allegiance to the LORD. The phrase "he held fast to the LORD" uses a powerful Hebrew verb (דבק, dāḇaq) conveying an active, committed, and persistent attachment, similar to a physical cleaving. This was not a passive faith but a deliberate choice to align himself fully with God. Complementing this, "he did not depart from following Him" stresses his unwavering perseverance and loyalty, especially notable in a period where Judah's kings often started well but succumbed to foreign gods or political pressures.

Hezekiah's piety was not merely an internal sentiment; it manifested in his actions, for "he kept the commandments." This points to diligent observance of God's laws, not in a perfunctory manner but as an expression of his devotion. The final clause, "of which the LORD had commanded Moses," critically establishes the divine and ancient authority for Hezekiah's obedience. This ensures his reforms were not novelties but a genuine restoration of the covenant faithfulness that God had established with Israel through Moses at Sinai. Thus, 2 Kings 18:6 presents Hezekiah as a righteous monarch whose personal integrity, rooted in consistent adherence to God's law, set the stage for significant spiritual reformation and divine favor during his reign amidst challenging political circumstances. His steadfastness became a blueprint for righteous kingship, a light against the backdrop of spiritual decline.