מלכים ב, פרק כ׳, פסוק כ׳

A king's legacy is often defined by how well he protects his people and his capital during times of crisis. King Hezekiah's reign is remembered for both his military strength and a remarkable engineering project designed to secure Jerusalem against an impending siege. His military campaigns and achievements in various wars stand as a testament to his power and leadership [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The crowning achievement of his domestic defense efforts was securing the city's water supply. He constructed a large stone pool to store water, connected to an excavated channel that allowed the water to flow freely [מצודת ציון]. This massive undertaking involved digging the Siloam tunnel. Because the original source of the Gihon spring was located outside the protective walls of the city, Hezekiah successfully diverted its flow, bringing the water safely inside Jerusalem [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. A more detailed account of this impressive water project, along with the rest of the king's historical achievements, is recorded in the Book of Chronicles [רש״י].