Fifteen Added Years
"Not my will, but thine, be done." — Luke 22:42
A Prayer That Was Granted
"In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah... said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart... And Hezekiah wept sore." (2 Kings 20:1–3)
God answered.
"I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee... and I will add unto thy days fifteen years." (2 Kings 20:5–6)
This passage is used constantly as proof that we should never accept a terminal diagnosis but should always beseech God for healing.
But the story does not end at verse six.
What Happened in Those Fifteen Years
First, the envoys. Emissaries came from Babylon, having heard that Hezekiah had been ill. He showed them everything — all his treasures, all his armory, everything in his house and his dominion.
Isaiah's verdict:
"Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house... shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left... And of thy sons that shall issue from thee... shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." (2 Kings 20:17–18)
Second, and far worse, a son was born to him during those fifteen years. His name was Manasseh.
"Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel... Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another." (2 Kings 21:9, 16)
And as a result of Manasseh's reign, God brought judgment on the whole nation:
"Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle." (2 Kings 21:12)
And Hezekiah himself?
"But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem." (2 Chronicles 32:25)
The Question It Raises
Is it possible that the Lord wanted to take Hezekiah home earlier because He could see into the future and knew all the evil that would result if Hezekiah continued to live?
We should not be so quick to assume we know what is best. Nor should we always rush to beg the Lord to grant our desires.
We must learn to seek the Lord to find His first choice for us — and then humble ourselves under His mighty hand and freely accept His will.
A Sobering Prayer
One believer, having grasped this, prays regularly that if God can see a future point at which she would fall and bring disgrace to His name, He would take her home first to prevent it.
That is not morbid. It is the logical conclusion of taking this passage seriously.
Point to Ponder
Hezekiah got exactly what he asked for. Manasseh was born in the fifteen years he gained.
Verse to Remember
"Not my will, but thine, be done." — Luke 22:42
Question to Consider
What am I currently demanding from God without any idea what it would cost?
Today's Practice
Read 2 Kings 20 and 21 together in one sitting, and then 2 Chronicles 32:24–26. Read them as one continuous story rather than as separate episodes, which is how we usually encounter them.
Then take the thing you have been most insistently asking God for.
Write it down, and then write underneath: "I do not know what this would cost. He does."
Then pray it again — differently:
"Father, this is what I want, and I am not going to pretend otherwise. But I do not know what granting it would set in motion, and You do.
Show me Your first choice for me in this. And if what I am asking for is not it, take the desire from me and give me Yours instead.
Not my will, but Yours be done."
And consider praying, as she did: "Father, if You can see a point ahead where I would fall and disgrace Your name, deal with me before that day comes — whatever it takes."
Do not pray that lightly. Pray it if you mean it.
Prayer
Father, I have assumed for years that I know what is best for me, and I have prayed accordingly — insistently, tearfully, and with complete confidence in my own judgment.
Hezekiah wept and You granted his request. And a son was born in those years who filled Jerusalem with innocent blood.
I do not know what I am asking for. You do.
Show me Your first choice for my life, and give me the humility to accept it when it is not what I wanted. Take from me the desires that would ruin me if granted.
And Father, if You see ahead of me a point where I would fall and bring disgrace to Your name, deal with me before I get there. I would rather be stopped than become a reproach to You.
Not my will, but Yours be done. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
We should not be so quick to assume we know what is best.