Hezekiah was near death from sickness, and in deep distress prayed for his life. The Old Testament saints did not know the eternal security of the believer; the work of Christ upon the cross was unaccomplished, and they did not enjoy settled peace when they thought of death. All their life time, through fear of death, they were subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:1515And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:15)).
Grace though known, was not enjoyed: the Holy Spirit was not yet indwelling the believers, nor could be until the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The Christian should be able to say with the apostle Paul (Phil. 1:21-2321For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:21‑23)), "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better," if death should intervene, before the Lord's coming (1 Thess. 1:14-18).
God heard and granted Hezekiah's wish—15 years would be added to his life, and the king of Assyria should not be allowed to conquer Jerusalem. But man cannot stand exaltation; the sign which God had wrought, was observed by the princes of Babylon (2 Chronicles 32:3131Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. (2 Chronicles 32:31)) who sent ambassadors to Hezekiah, and Hezekiah hearkened to them; showed them all his precious things.
His heart, was lifted up in pride (2 Chronicles 32:2525But 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)), and he now learns to his sorrow that the things he had boastfully shown would be carried (not into Assyria, but) into Babylon; nothing should be left, and his children would be slaves in the palace of the king there. Hezekiah however receives the rebuke becomingly: "Good is the word of the Lord." He died and his young son Manasseh became king.
We are apt to judge their lives by the failures and weaknesses, the sins of the children of God, and too easily forgetful of our own history. If God has shown us His servant Hezekiah in weakness as well as in strength, in dishonor and in honor, is it not for us who are saved by His grace to seek to walk humbly before Him, profiting by the failure of others in the same heavenward road, and thanking Him for all His mercy ?