Judah’s King Hezekiah

18 In the third year of Israel’s King Hoshea^(A) son of Elah, Hezekiah^(B) son of Ahaz became king of Judah. ² He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi^[a] daughter of Zechariah. ³ He did what was right in the Lord’s sight just as his ancestor David had done.^{(C) 4} He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles.^(D) He broke into pieces the bronze snake that Moses made,^(E) for until then the Israelites were burning incense to it. It was called Nehushtan.^[b]

⁵ Hezekiah relied on the Lord God of Israel;^(F) not one of the kings of Judah was like him, either before him or after him.^{(G) 6} He remained faithful to the Lord^(H) and did not turn from following him but kept the commands the Lord had commanded Moses.

⁷ The Lord was with him, and wherever he went he prospered.^(I) He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.^{(J) 8} He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its borders,^(K) from watchtower^(L) to fortified city.