CHAPTER XXV

HEZEKIAH (B.C. 715-686) 287

Dates--Importance of the reign--Hezekiah's age--His character--His reformation--Partial suppression of the _bamoth_--Removal of the _matstseboth_ and _Asherim_--Destruction of the brazen serpent--Trust in Jehovah--Psalm xlvi.--Chastisement of the Philistines--Three parties in Jerusalem--1. The Assyrian party--2. The Egyptian party--3. The national party--Its attitude to the others--Micah--Mockery of Egypt--Anger and insults of the priests against Isaiah--Confidence of Isaiah--Waverings of Hezekiah.