Chizkiyahu's Illness and the Sundial Miracle

Shocked, Chizkiyahu inquired why such a harsh decree had been issued against him. Yeshayahu replied, “Because you intentionally did not marry and have children.”

Chizkiyahu defended his decision, explaining, “Through divine inspiration, I foresaw that my offspring would be wicked.”

Yeshayahu countered, “That is not for you to determine. Your responsibility is to follow the halacha – to seek a wife and fulfill the mitzvah of having children.”

Realizing his mistake, Chizkiyahu proposed, “Then give me your daughter in marriage – perhaps our combined merits will yield righteous offspring.”

Yeshayahu, however, remained firm. “The decree has already been issued,” he stated.

But Chizkiyahu was undeterred. “I have a tradition from my ancestors,” he declared, “even if a sharp sword rests upon a person’s neck, it is never too late to pray.”

With unwavering faith, Chizkiyahu turned to Hashem, engaging in deep and heartfelt prayer, seeking forgiveness. Hashem then instructed Yeshayahu to return to Chizkiyahu with a new message: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life.”

As a sign that his tefillah had been accepted, Yeshayahu proclaimed that the shadow on the sundial would miraculously move backward ten hours – thus restoring the ten hours that had been removed on the day of Achaz’s death.