Three Portrayals of King Hezekiah: A Comparison of 2 Kings 18-20, Isaiah 36-39, and 2 Chronicles 29-32

Abstract

<p> Hezekiah is portrayed as a pious and faithful king in three biblical accounts: 2 Kgs 18-20, Isa 36-39 and 2 Chr 29-32. The way Hezekiah is characterized, however, is quite different in each of these three biblical accounts. Utilizing narrative analysis, this dissertation concentrated specifically on the characterization of Hezekiah in the literary context of these three biblical accounts. Hezekiah's story was examined first as a discrete account applying narrative features separately and then as a story within the larger context of each book. Then, the portrayal of Hezekiah in the three biblical books was compared in conclusion. This dissertation demonstrated that these three biblical accounts relate the same reign of King Hezekiah in their unique way according to their purpose and their individual point of view. The Kings account focuses on Hezekiah's political events including his negative aspects in order to show the faithfulness of the LORD in His promise to David (2 Sam 7) through Hezekiah's faithful actions to the LORD. Hezekiah is portrayed as a round character whose characterization is developed within the story. In Isaiah, the Hezekiah story is reshaped by the narrator by omitting and inserting some parts of Hezekiah's narratives in the Kings account. Hezekiah is portrayed as a more faithful king than his father, Ahaz, in order to encourage the people who heard the visions of Isaiah, to trust in the LORD sincerely. In Chronicles, the Hezekiah narratives are related differently by expanding, abridging, and rephrasing his Vorlage. The Chronicles account depicts Hezekiah as the best king among the Davidic kings in order to indicate the beginning of the reunited kingdom. Thus, the Chronicles account fully expands Hezekiah's religious reforms and abridges his political events in order to portray him as a second David and Solomon. In the three accounts, Hezekiah is not portrayed as a perfect king, but instead as a limited human king in order to encourage the readers to see the LORD, the heavenly King.</p>