2 Kings 22:19

19 ¹because your heart was penitent, and you ²humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become ³a desolation and ⁴a curse, and you ⁵have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD.

2 Kings 22:19 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 22:19

Because thine heart was tender
Soft like wax, and susceptible of impressions; or was "moved", or "trembled", as the Targum; for God has respect to such as are of contrite hearts, and tremble at his word, ( Isaiah 66:2 ) ,

and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord;
external humiliation, such as in Ahab, was regarded by the Lord, much more internal and cordial humiliation is regarded by him, see ( 1 Kings 21:29 ) ,

when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the
inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse;
as in ( Leviticus 26:1 ) ( Deuteronomy 28:1 )

and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me;
as expressive of the inward contrition, sorrow, and grief of his heart:

I also have heard thee, saith the Lord:
his cries and prayers.

2 Kings 22:19 In-Context

17 Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.

18 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard,

19 because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD.

20 Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.'" And they brought back word to the king.

Cross References

• 1. [Psalms 51:17; Isaiah 57:15]
• 2. 1 Kings 21:29
• 3. Leviticus 26:31, 32; 2 Chronicles 30:7; Jeremiah 25:18; Jeremiah 44:22; Micah 6:16
• 4. Jeremiah 24:9; Jeremiah 26:6; Jeremiah 44:22
• 5. ver. 11