2 Chronicles 32 · a question people ask
If God knows every heart, why did he test Hezekiah "that he might know all that was in his heart"?
The verse gives the reason in these words and no others: "God left him to test him, that he might know all that was in his heart" (32:31). In Hebrew the verse says only to know, without naming who would know; the WEB reads it "that he might know". Deuteronomy says the same of Israel in the wilderness: "that he might humble you, to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not" (Deuteronomy 8:2). The same book of 2 Chronicles has Solomon pray, "for you, even you only, know the hearts of the children of men" (6:30), and David told Solomon, "the LORD searches all hearts" (1 Chronicles 28:9). These verses don't say how the two fit together, and these notes don't choose.
The verses
“However, concerning the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him to test him, that he might know all that was in his heart.”
“You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.”
“then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive, and give to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know (for you, even you only, know the hearts of the children of men),”
“You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.”