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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 20:12

Berodach-baladan - The correct form of this name, Merodach-baladan, is given in Isaiah Isaiah 39:1. It is a name composed of three elements, Merodach, the well-known Babylonian god Jeremiah 50:2, but (pal) “a son;” and iddin, or iddina, “has given;” or Baladan may be a form of Beliddin. This king of Babylon is mentioned frequently in the Assyrian inscriptions, and he was not unknown to the Greeks. He had two reigns in Babylon. First of all, he seized the throne in the same year in which Sargon... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 20:12

2 Kings 20:12. Berodach-baladan He seems to have been the king of Assyria’s viceroy in Babylon; and, upon the terrible slaughter in the Assyrian host, and the death of Sennacherib, and the differences among his sons, to have usurped absolute sovereignty over Babylon: and either himself or his son destroyed the Assyrian monarchy, and translated the empire to Babylon. Sent letters and a present to Hezekiah Congratulating him on his happy restoration to health, and assuring him of his esteem... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 20:1-21

Warning concerning Babylon (20:1-21)It seems that the events recorded in 20:1-19 occurred before those recorded in 18:13-19:37. Hezekiah was about to die, but, in answer to his prayer, God promised to extend his life. This was for the purpose of bringing Judah through the time of conflict with Assyria that has just been described (20:1-7). God gave Hezekiah a miraculous sign to prove that he would do what he had promised (8-11).At this time Babylon was increasing in power and was looking for... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Kings 20:12

Berodaeh. Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "Merodach". Compare Isaiah 39:1 . king of Babylon. First occurrence of this title. Babylon and Nineveh the two great cities competing henceforward for supremacy in Assyria. Finally settled by Nabopolassar and his son Nebuchadnezzar, "the head of gold" (Daniel 2:37 , Daniel 2:38 ). sent letters and a present. These did what the king of Assyria and the king of terrors could not do. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 20:12

12-19. Berodach-baladan— ( :-), the first king of Babylon mentioned in sacred history; formerly its rulers were viceroys of the Assyrian monarchs. This individual threw off the yoke, and asserting his independence, made with varying success, a long and obstinate resistance [RAWLINSON, Outlines]. The message of congratulation to Hezekiah, was, in all likelihood, accompanied with proposals for a defensive alliance against their common Assyrian enemy. The king of Judah, flattered with this honor,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Kings 20:12-19

7. The prophecy of Babylonian captivity 20:12-19Merodach-baladan ruled as king of Babylon for two terms, 721-710 and 703-702 B.C. The event recorded in these verses evidently took place in 702 B.C. [Note: John Martin, "Isaiah," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, p. 1090.] Hezekiah appears to have let his visitors know the extent of Judah’s financial strength because he favored Merodach-baladan and Chaldean affiliation. In pride, as a result of his healing, he evidently wished to... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 20:1-21

Hezekiah’s Sickness and Recovery1. In those days] The incidents related in this chapter probably took place before Sennacherib’s invasion, for (a) the deliverance from the Assyrians is still future (2 Kings 20:6); (b) Hezekiah is in possession of great treasures (2 Kings 20:13), which could scarcely have been the case after the surrender described in 2 Kings 18:14-15; (c) Merodach Baladan, king of Babylon, was driven from his throne before Sennacherib attacked Judah. Chronologically, therefore,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Kings 20:12

THE EMBASSY OP MERODACH-BALADAN (2 Kings 20:12-19).(12) At that time Berodach-baladan.—As to the name, Berodach is a transcriber’s error for Merodach (Jeremiah 1:2). Some MSS. of Kings, and the LXX., Syriac, and Arabic, as well as Isaiah 39:1, and the Talmud, spell the name with m, a letter easily confused with b in Hebrew. Above all, the cuneiform inscriptions present Marduk (or, Maruduk)-abla-iddina (“Me-rodaeh gave a son”). A king of this name occupied the throne of Chaldea at intervals,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 20:1-19

HEZEKIAH’S SICKNESS, AND THE EMBASSY FROM BABYLON2 Kings 20:1-19"Thou hast loved me out of the pit of nothingness,"- Isaiah 38:17 (A.V, margin)"See the shadow of the dial In the lot of every one Marks the passing of the trial, Proves the presence of the Sun."- E.B. BROWNINGIN the chaos of uncertainties which surrounds the chronology of King Hezekiah’s reign, it is impossible to fix a precise date to the sickness which almost brought him to the grave. It has, however, been conjectured by some... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Kings 20:1-21

3. Hezekiah’s Illness, Recovery, Failure, and Death CHAPTER 20 1. Hezekiah’s illness and recovery (2 Kings 20:1-11 ; 2 Chronicles 32:24 ) 2. Hezekiah’s failure (2 Kings 20:12-19 ; 2 Chronicles 32:25-31 ) 3. The death of Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:20-21 ; 2 Chronicles 32:32-33 ) Hezekiah’s sickness must have occurred about the second invasion of the Assyrian. Then the prophet Isaiah delivered to him the message of approaching death. “Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order, for thou... read more

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