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.

2 KINGS 20:3KJV
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2 Kings 20:3 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 20:3 mean?

2 Kings 20:3 records King Hezekiah’s heartfelt prayer to God after hearing he will soon die. Hezekiah pleads with the LORD to remember how he has lived faithfully, with a sincere heart, doing what is right, and he breaks down in deep sorrow.

Hezekiah is speaking directly to God after the prophet Isaiah tells him to set his house in order because he will not recover from his illness. In this moment of crisis, Hezekiah reminds God of his past faithfulness and integrity, using language that highlights his honesty (“in truth”) and wholehearted devotion (“with a perfect heart”). The verse ends with Hezekiah’s intense grief, showing how deeply the news affects him.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 20:3

  • “beseech” (אָנָּה, ’an·nāh, H577): This word is a strong plea or urgent request, showing Hezekiah’s desperation and humility as he prays.
  • “truth” (אֱמֶת, ’emeth, H571): This word means faithfulness, reliability, or sincerity. Hezekiah is not just claiming to be honest but to have lived with genuine faithfulness before God.
  • “perfect” (שָׁלֵם, shalēm, H8003): This word means whole or complete. Hezekiah is saying his heart has been undivided and fully devoted to God, not just outwardly obedient.
  • “wept sore” (בָּכָה, bakhah, H1058; גָּדוֹל, gadol, H1419): The phrase means he wept greatly or bitterly, emphasizing the depth of Hezekiah’s emotion and distress.

Why 2 Kings 20:3 matters

  • This verse shows that even faithful people can feel desperate and plead honestly with God, not hiding their emotions or fears.
  • Hezekiah’s prayer is not a boast but a reminder of his relationship with God, showing that personal integrity and faithfulness matter deeply in times of crisis.
  • The verse sets up the dramatic reversal in the story, where God responds to Hezekiah’s prayer, highlighting the power of sincere, heartfelt prayer in the biblical narrative.

Where else these words appear

“beseech” Hebrew H577 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 50:17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
  • Nehemiah 1:11 O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
  • Isaiah 38:3 And said, Remember now, O LORD, 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.

“perfect” Hebrew H8003 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
  • 1 Kings 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
  • 2 Chronicles 15:17 But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

“wept” Hebrew H1065 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 45:2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.
  • Psalms 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
  • Isaiah 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

“Hezekiah” Hebrew H2396 · used in 78 verses

  • 2 Kings 16:20 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 20:5 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.
  • Isaiah 36:16 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;