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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 20:12-21

Here is, I. An embassy sent to Hezekiah by the king of Babylon, to congratulate him on his recovery, 2 Kgs. 20:12. The kings of Babylon had hitherto been only deputies and tributaries to the kings of Assyria, and Nineveh was the royal city. We find Babylon subject to the king of Assyria, 2 Kgs. 17:24. But this king of Babylon began to set up for himself, and by degrees things were so changed that Assyria became subject to the kings of Babylon. This king of Babylon sent to compliment Hezekiah,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 20:12-19

At that time Berodachbaladan ,.... He is called Merodachbaladan, Isaiah 39:1 , so here in the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions; See Gill on Isaiah 39:1 ; and by Metasthenes F26 Ut supra. (De Judicio Temp. fol. 221. 2.) his father is called Merodach, and he Ben Merodach, who reigned twenty one years, and his father fifty two; from hence to the end of 2 Kings 20:12 the same account is given in the same words as in Isaiah 39:1 throughout, except in 2 Kings 20:13 , where... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 20:12

At that time Berodach-baladan - He is called Merodach-Baladan, Isaiah 39:1 , and by the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, and by several of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS.; and also by the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds. The true reading seems to be Merodach; the מ mem and ב beth might be easily interchanged, and so produce the mistake. Sent letters and a present - It appears that there was friendship between the king of Babylon and Hezekiah, when the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 20:13

Hezekiah hearkened unto them - Instead of וישמע vaiyishma , he hearkened, וישמח vaiyismach , he rejoiced or was glad, is the reading of twelve of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., the parallel place, Isaiah 39:2 , the Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate, Arabic, some copies of the Targum, and the Babylonian Talmud. All the house of his precious things - Interpreters are not well agreed about the meaning of the original נכתה nechothoh , which we here translate... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 20:17

Behold , the days come - This was fulfilled in the days of the latter Jewish kings, when the Babylonians had led the people away into captivity, and stripped the land, the temple, etc., of all their riches. See Daniel 1:1-3 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 20:18

They shall be eunuchs - Perhaps this means no more than that they should become household servants to the kings of Babylon. See the fulfillment, 2 Kings 24:13-15 , and Daniel 1:1-3 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 20:19

Good is the word of the Lord - He has spoken right, I have done foolishly. I submit to his judgments. Is it not good if peace and truth be in my days ? - I believe Hezekiah inquires whether there shall be peace and truth in his days. And the question seems to be rather of an interested nature. He does not appear to deplore the calamities that were coming on the land, provided peace and truth might prevail in his days. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 20:1-21

ILLNESS OF HEZEKIAH AND EMBASSY OF MERODACH - BALADAN . HEZEKIAH 'S DEATH . The writer proceeds to relate an illness and a recovery of Hezekiah, which happened about the middle of his reign, probably in B.C. 713, and which was accompanied by strange, if not miraculous, circumstances ( 2 Kings 20:1-11 ). Hezekiah's recovery was followed by an embassy of congratulation from Merodach-Baladan, King of Babylon, which led Hezekiah into an act of folly, and brought upon him... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 20:1-21

Death. "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death," etc. A thoughtful man might raise many questions on this chapter—indeed, on all the chapters in this book. He might ask—Who was the writer of this chapter, ay, and of the entire Books of Kings? A question this which has not been settled, and, perhaps, never will be. He might ask on what authority certain men, called prophets, such as Isaiah, speak as from heaven, and say, "Thus saith the Lord." Priests and leaders of all sects profess to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 20:12

At that time Berodach-Baladan. Isaiah gives the name more correctly as "Merodach-Baladan" ( Isaiah 39:1 ). The native form is Marduk-pal-iddin, i.e. "Merodach a son has given." This king makes his first appearance in an inscription of Tiglath-pileser's, where he is one of many chieftains among whom Babylonia is divided. Subsequently he is mentioned as revolting from Sargon in the latter's first year, B.C. 722, and holding the throne of Babylon for twelve years, when Sargon conquered him,... read more

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