Hezekiah, Josiah And David Series

What can we learn from revivals under Hezekiah, Josiah and David?

1) Hezekiah's Revival

Does Hezekiah’s ministry teach us how long a revival is probably going to last?

Because "He did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight, just as his ancestor David had done" (2 Kings 18:3 NLT), Hezekiah was blessed. He prayed when threatened by Assyria, "Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only." (2 Kings 19:19 KJV) Trusted, yes "Hezekiah trusted the LORD God of Israel. No other king of Judah was like Hezekiah, either before or after him." (2 Kings 18:5 CEV) Fifteen years were added to his life after he prayed. Years confirmed with a sign in the shadows, were added to his life. Was he perfect? Added years did not prevent a prophecy of destruction in a future generation.

Hezekiah “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father [ancestor] had done.” (2 Chronicles 29:2 KJV) Obedient, Hezekiah prepared the temple. But, when he invited all Israel to the Passover what happened? Was his invitation well received? Mocked by many, “they laughed them to scorn” (2 Chronicles 30:10 ESV). And yet some from various northern tribes came. Remaining faithful Hezekiah “did what was good, right, and true before the Lord his God. Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in the Law and in the commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered.” (2 Chronicles 31:20-21 NASB) Faithful, he prayed for protection from Assyria and a longer life and God blessed him both times. (2 Chronicles 29-32; Isaiah 36-39)

Rejoice, lovers of God, while Revival lasts, because it may only last a generation.

2) Josiah's Revival

Can revival skip a few generations and return?

After Hezekiah, his son and grandson led Judah astray, but his great grandson, Josiah "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left." (2 Kings 22:2 NIV) Generations had not heard God's word until a copy was found in the temple. Revival began when Josiah wept before the Lord in repentance. Returns to God do not often last a second generation, but at least this King, "stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep His commandments, His provisions, and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant." (2 Kings 23:3 NASB)

Rejoice, lovers of God, when any leader turns to God in repentance, because your generation will be blessed like that of Josiah, "who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him." (2 Kings 23:25 NKJV; 2 Chronicles 34-35)

3) David's Revival

While many revivals are long forgotten, can a revival still provide inspiration for millennia?

David is a familiar figure, but his struggle and revival is less familiar. Was faith revealed in his work of using a sling to defeat Goliath? King David, though a man of many faults, asked God's advice often, and set up the liturgy of the Tabernacle, so that everything might be done decently and in order for the worship of God. Forty years long, David reigned as king, his enemies fell and Israel was revived because they had a king who was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). Years in the planning, David's final days were spent preparing for his son to build the temple.

David was God’s choice (1 Samuel 16), unlike Saul who was the people’s choice. Was David defeating Goliath the beginning of revival (1 Samuel 17)? A revival of worship brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13-16). Man is far from perfect and even David sinned greatly with Bathsheba and the plot to kill her husband (2 Samuel 11-12). After David’s repentance (Psalm 51), God continued to bless Israel. God’s protection let David survive threats on his life (2 Samuel 8; 14-15; 21; 1 Kings 1). Own “heart” can also mean own “choice,” meaning that David was a man after God’s own choice, instead of Saul who was the people’s choice; what is popular is not always God’s will. Heart is also what David had, a heart dedicated to God despite his many faults, and his many Psalms are a legacy that still lives (Psalms 3-9; 11-32; 34-41; 51-65; 68-70; 86; 101; 103; 108-110; 122; 124; 131; 133; 138-145 and possibly others).