2 Kings 20:11 NIV

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 20:11

dial = degrees. Ahaz. See note on 2 Kings 20:8 . read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Kings 20:1-11

6. Hezekiah’s illness and recovery 20:1-11"In those days" (2 Kings 20:1) refers to the year Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem (701 B.C.) since Hezekiah died 15 years later in 686 B.C. His response to his illness was proper. He sought help from Yahweh primarily (2 Kings 20:2). God had promised long life to the godly under the Mosaic Covenant, and that promise was the basis of Hezekiah’s appeal and God’s answer. Fig poultices were a common treatment in the ancient world as a remedy for boils.... 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 20:11

(11) And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord.—Thus the sign is evidently regarded by the historian as something directly involving the Divine agency, i.e., as a miracle.He brought . . . Ahaz.—Literally, and he (i.e., Jehovah) made the shadow return on the steps, which it had descended in the steps of Ahaz, backward ten steps. On the question of how it was done, a good many opinions have been expressed, e.g., by means of a mock sun, a cloud of vapour, an earthquake, a contrivance applied by... 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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Kings 20:11

20:11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the {h} dial of Ahaz.(h) Which was set at the top of the stairs that Ahaz had made. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 20:1-21

FIFTEEN YEARS ADDED TO HEZEKIAH'S LIFE (vv.1-11) "In those days was Hezekiah sick and near death" (v.1). This took place about the time that Assyria captured the fortified cities of Judah (ch.18:13), for Hezekiah had reigned 14 years at that time. Since he reigned 29 years in Jerusalem altogether, then the 15 added years began at the time of the invasion of the king of Assyria. God is wise in the way He has these things reported. If He had intertwined the history of Hezekiah's sickness with... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 20:1-21

JUDAH UNDER HEZEKIAH A SUMMARY OF THE REIGN (2 Kings 18:1-8 ) For a more extensive history of this good reign compare 2 Chronicles 29-32, and also Isaiah 36-39. In the first eight verses we have the usual summary like that of Ahaz (16:1-4), after which follows in detail the chief events of the reign. The summary contains the age and period of the king (2 Kings 18:1-2 ); his attitude toward the true worship (2 Kings 18:3-4 ); a reference to the spirit animating his life and conduct (2 Kings... read more