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King Hezekiah was the son of Ahaz who was wicked. He was one of the most prominent Kings; according to the Book of Kings. “He was good and right before the Lord his God” 2 Chronicles 31:20”. Isaiah and Micah were prophets in Judah during his reign. Hezekiah had a lot of cleaning to do when he took over. All the idols were destroyed and he reopened the temple that was nailed shut by his father.
Isaiah was a great friend to Hezekiah and told him he would die soon. Hezekiah prayed to God asking for more time, which he was granted 15 more years.
During his illness he fathered the next heir Manasseh. Hephzibah was his mother. She had to be torn and heartbroken when he took over his father’s reign. He spent his time literally destroying everything Hezekiah built and stood for. There’s even research that supports that Manasseh killed Isaiah.
Hephzibah is mentioned only once in the Bible in 2 Kings 21 1-2. “Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.”
It’s used a second time in Isaiah’s prophecy to describe a restored Jerusalem. Research tells me the name means “delite to God”. I found a story on https://mesuandrews.com/who-is-hephzibah/ where according to Jewish stories she was the daughter of Isaiah. I had a hard time confirming this elsewhere then saw on http://www.geni.com where they listed him as her father. Isaiah was an amazing man and prophet. A book that was brought to my attention through my own difficulties.
To say that she was disappointed in how Manasseh ruled as a King had to hurt her deeply. All of our parents want the best for us. At least I hope they do. We can only lead them so far and hope all we’ve taught them they use to be upstanding citizens. A mothers love is always with her children, even in times of disappointment.
God is the same way. He’s not always happy with decisions we make but he’s always there to love and support us.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 “May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.”
The Carpenter’s Daughter 