CHAPTER XII.

CONCLUSION.

THE sacred record contains little information respecting the remainder of Hezekiah's life, though the period comprises more than half of his reign. It was a season of prosperity and peace, and like other seasons of that description, furnishes few materials for history. The enemies of Judah round about, awed by evident tokens that the country was under the protection of a divinity more powerful than their own idols, did not venture to incur the fate of the Assyrians.

Hezekiah did not employ the boon of heaven in retirement from the world, or in unproductive contemplation, but in the active performance of the duties assigned him by Providence. He applied himself diligently to the improvement of his kingdom and the increase of his revenues. He "had exceeding much riches and honor; and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of precious jewels: storehouses also for the increase of corn and wine and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. Moreover, he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given

him substance very much." 2 Chron. 32: 27-29. An heir to his throne was born three years after his miraculous recovery.

It was probably during his latter years that Hezekiah made a new collection of the Proverbs of Solomon, for the moral instruction of his people. This would be a fitting work for the conclusion of a reign which was begun by restoring and establishing the worship of Jehovah, and for years which were a special donation from the Author of life. Who that with Hezekiah has been down to the gates of death, and in answer to his own prayers, or the fervent supplications of his friends, has been recalled to the fellowship of the living, would not make as grateful a use of the gift? Is fresh love of the world, is forgetfulness of God and heaven, is indolent self-indulgence, a suitable employment of such an extended probation?

Though "Hezekiah prospered in all his works," there is no intimation that he was again too much elated by success. His former experience had taught him humility. What influence the knowledge of the time of his death exerted on his mind, we can only conjecture. If on the one hand it might lead him to number his days wisely, it might on the other lead to dangerous security and presumption. It might lessen a dread of sinning, because time would be offered for repentance; and give new charms to sensual gratifications, because

they could be so long enjoyed. Whatever may be true of Hezekiah, the effect on the mass of mankind would no doubt be unhappy, if God were to reveal the time of their death. To the young, the coming years, even though few as those promised to the king of Judah, would seem to stretch an almost interminable distance, and the temptation to indulge in worldly pleasures, and live as if earth was to be their home for ever, might be too strong for resistance; and if the allotted period would seem more brief to those whom age has taught how rapid is the flight of time, even they would often slumber over present duty, and defer reformation to "a more convenient season.' If, while ten thousand voices are echoing on every side, "Ye know not what shall be on the morrow," men delay preparation for heaven, how deep would be their insensibility were they assured of many days on earth!

With vivid recollections of his feelings on the near approach of death, Hezekiah would be careful to "set his house in order." He would especially admonish his young son to persevere in the worship of Jehovah and uphold the true religion. He would often tell Manasseh the events of his own life, and urge him to seek the favor of the God of Israel. Aware of the proneness to idolatry among the princes and people, he would make every preparation to perpetuate the institutions which he had restored with so much labor.

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We know not the circumstances of his departure from the world-whether he was cut down by a sudden stroke in the vigor of his days, or wasted away under the slow progress of disease; but we may well believe that he would view the shortening period of his pilgrimage with composure, and that his end was peace. Hezekiah slept with his fathers;" and the people, mourning the loss of their distinguished and much-loved monarch, "buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David," a mark of respect richly merited; "and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death."

No king of Israel, in piety, in faith, in zeal for the worship of Jehovah, and regard for the institutions of the Mosaic law, approached so near as Hezekiah to the "man after God's own heart;" and if we consider the circumstances of his birth and early education, and the adverse influences against which he had to struggle, perhaps no one of all the worthies of that peculiar people is more deserving of imitation and eulogy.