For he joined with Yahweh. He didn’t depart from following him, but kept his commandments, which Yahweh commanded Moses.
Parallel translations
- KJV For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.
- BSB He remained faithful to the LORD and did not turn from following Him; he kept the commandments that the LORD had given Moses.
- ESV For he held fast to the LORD. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the LORD commanded Moses.
- 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.
- NASB For he clung to the Lord; he did not desist from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses.
- NLT He remained faithful to the Lord in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the Lord had given Moses.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Hezekiah clung to Yahweh, never departing, and kept the commandments given through Moses. His faith expressed itself in steadfast obedience.
Overview
Genuine trust (v. 5) and faithful obedience are joined here, for he 'joined with' or held fast to the LORD. His loyalty to the Mosaic covenant shows that true faith produces an obedient life rather than mere reform programs. This perseverance distinguishes him from kings who began well but fell away. It pictures the believer's call to abide in Christ and walk in his commands (John 15).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Deut 10:20You shall fear Yahweh your God; you shall serve him; and you shall cling to him, and you shall swear by his name.
- Josh 23:8but hold fast to Yahweh your God, as you have done to this day.
- John 14:15If you love me, keep my commandments.
- Acts 11:23who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.
- 1 Jn 5:3For this is loving God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.
- John 15:14You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.
- 2 Kgs 17:13Yet Yahweh testified to Israel, and to Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.”
- 2 Kgs 17:16They abandoned all the commandments of Yahweh their God, and made molten images for themselves, even two calves, and made an Asherah, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served Baal.
- Jer 11:4which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace,’ saying, ‘Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so you shall be my people, and I will be your God;
- John 14:21One who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”
- John 15:10If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.
- 2 Kgs 17:19Also Judah didn’t keep the commandments of Yahweh their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.
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Christ at the center
Amid the long decline toward exile, the promise to David's house refuses to die; the flickering lamp kept burning anticipates the coming King who will not fail or be cut off.
How 2 Kings 18:6 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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