2 Kings 18:1–8

King Hezekiah of Judah

18In the third year of the reign of Hoshea son of Elah as king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz became king of Judah ²at the age of 25, and he ruled in Jerusalem for 29 years. His mother was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. ³Following the example of his ancestor King David, he did what was pleasing to the Lord. ^4*He destroyed the pagan places of worship, broke the stone pillars, and cut down the images of the goddess Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze snake that Moses had made, which was called Nehushtan. Up to that time the people of Israel had burnt incense in its honour. ⁵Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; Judah never had another king like him, either before or after his time. ⁶He was faithful to the Lord and never disobeyed him, but carefully kept all the commands that the Lord had given Moses. ⁷So the Lord was with him, and he was successful in everything he did. He rebelled against the emperor of Assyria and refused to submit to him. ⁸He defeated the Philistines, and raided their settlements, from the smallest village to the largest city, including Gaza and its surrounding territory.