King Hezekiah receives a positive evaluation with no reservations from the writer of the book of 2 Kings. The expression did what was right in the eyes of the LORD is used of David (1 Kgs 15.5) and several other kings of Judah who served before Hezekiah: Asa (1 Kgs 15.11), Joash (2 Kgs 12.2), Amaziah (2 Kgs 14.3), Azariah (2 Kgs 15.3), and Jotham (2 Kgs 15.34).

Translators are also reminded that David his father will be better translated in many languages as “King David, who was his ancestor” or something similar since there were many generations between David and Hezekiah.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .