Isaiah 39

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 39:6-7

Shadows projected from coming trouble. Almost our worst troubles are the things we fear. They loom so large and seem so terrible, like distant figures in a fog. The mind is so long occupied with them before it can do anything in relation to them. Our Saviour's life was darkened with the shadows of his coming woe. As he talked with heavenly visitants, he "spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem." He cried, "Now is my soul troubled … Father, save me from this hour."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 39:7

Of thy sons that shall issue from thee . Hezekiah had at the time, probably, no son, since Manasseh, who succeeded him upon the throne, was not born till two years later. Besides Manasseh, he appears to have had a son, Amariah, who was an ancestor of the Prophet Zephaniah ( Zephaniah 1:1 ). He may, of course, have also had others. His descendants, rather than his actual sons, seem to be here intended; and the fulfilment of the prophecy is to be found in Daniel 1:3 , where certain "of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 39:8

Good is the word. While there is resignation, there is no doubt something also of selfishness, in Hezekiah's acceptance of the situation. "Apres mot le deluge" is a saying attributed to a modern Frenchman. Hezekiah's egotism is less pronounced and less cynical. He thinks with gratitude of the "peace and steadfastness" which are to be "in his day;" he does not dwell in thought on the coming "deluge." The "word of the Lord" is "good" to him in more ways than one. It has assured him of coming... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 39:8

The best blessings. "There shall be peace and truth in my days." These are God's twin blessings. There can be no peace without truth. There is veracity in ,God's universe everywhere. It is only a seeming blessedness which exists apart from these things, for the flowers have no root. The dancing smile is only like phosphorescence on the face of the dead, if we are not at peace with God. I. CHRIST 'S LEGACY WAS PEACE . "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you." This is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 39:8

Our submissions may be selfish. "He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days." "Hezekiah not only acquiesces in the will of Jehovah. like Eli ( 1 Samuel 3:18 ), but congratulates himself on his own personal safety. It would, no doubt, have been the nobler course to beg that he alone might bear the punishment, as he alone had sinned. But the principle of the solidarity of the forefather and his posterity, and of the king and his people, prevails almost throughout the Old... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 39

This short chapter completes the historical part of Isaiah. The same record occurs with some slight changes in 2 Kings 20:12-21. Compare the Introduction to Isaiah 36:0. The chapter is composed of the following parts: - 1. The statement that the king of Babylon sent an embassage to Hezekiah to congratulate him on his recovery Isaiah 39:1. This embassage contemplated also an inquiry into the truth of the report in regard to the miracle on the sun-dial 2 Chronicles 32:31.2. Hezekiah showed them... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 39:1

At that time - That is, soon after his recovery; or after he had amassed great wealth, and was surrounded with the evidences of prosperity 2 Chronicles 32:27-31.Merodach-baladan, the son of Balddan, king of Babylon - In the parallel place in 2 Kings 20:12, this name is written Berodach-baladan, by a change of a single letter. Probably the name was written and pronounced both ways. Merodach was an idol of the Babylonians Jeremiah 50:2 : ‘Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 39:2

And Hezekiah was glad of them - Possibly he regarded himself as flattered by an embassage from so great a distance, and so celebrated a place as Babylon. It is certain that he erred in some way in regard to the manner in which he received them, and especially in the ostentatious display which he made of his treasures 2 Chronicles 32:31.And showed them the house of his precious things - The Septuagint renders this, Νεχωθᾶ Nechōtha - ‘The house of Nechotha,’ retaining the Hebrew word. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 39:3

Then came Isaiah - Isaiah was accustomed to declare the will of God most freely to monarchs (see Isaiah 7:0)What said these men? - What proposition have they made? What is the design of their coming? It is implied in the question that there had been some improper communication from them. To this question Hezekiah returned no answer.And from whence came they? - It was doubtless known in Jerusalem that ambassadors had come, but it would not be likely to be known from what country they had... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 39:4

What have they seen? - It is probable that the fact that Hezekiah had showed them the treasures of his kingdom was known in Jerusalem. Such a fact would be likely to attract attention, and to produce inquiry among the people into the cause.All that is in mine house - Here was the confessions of a frank, an honest, and a pious man. There was no concealment; no disguise. Hezekiah knew that he was dealing with a man of God - a man too to whom he had been under great obligations. He knew that... read more

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