2 Kings 20:13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 20:13

Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them - The Jewish king lent a favorable ear to the proposals of the ambassadors, and exhibited to them the resources which he possessed, in order to induce them to report well of him to their master.All the house of his precious things - literally, the “spice-house;” the phrase had acquired the more generic sense of “treasure-house” from the fact that the gold, the silver, and the spices were all stored together. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 20:13

2 Kings 20:13. Hezekiah hearkened unto them, &c. He was so pleased, or rather, transported with joy, at the honour the king of Babylon had done him, that he not only gave his ambassadors a gracious audience, and granted them a league and amity, but ordered his officers to show them all the rarities and precious things which he had in his treasures, with his spices, costly ointments, and the house of his armour For though his country had been lamentably harassed and plundered by the... 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 20:13

hearkened. He did not pray as in 2 Kings 20:2 , or as in 2 Kings 19:15 . See the notes and Isaiah 39:2 , "was glad". all. Some codices, with Syriac and Vulgate, omit this "all". his. The depletion of 2 Kings 18:15 , 2 Kings 18:16 was not of "his" house, but of the house of Jehovah as well as "the king's house". and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) emphasizing each item. all the house of his armour = all his armoury. treasures = treasuries. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 20:13

13, 14. the silver, and the gold—He paid so much tribute to Sennacherib as exhausted his treasury (compare 2 Kings 18:16). But, after the destruction of Sennacherib, presents were brought him from various quarters, out of respect to a king who, by his faith and prayer, saved his country; and besides, it is by no means improbable that from the corpses in the Assyrian camp, all the gold and silver he had paid might be recovered. The vain display, however, was offensive to his divine liege lord,... 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 20:13

(13) Hearkened unto.—A scribe’s error for “was glad of them” (Isaiah, and many MSS. and the versions here).The silver, and the gold.—This, as well as the phrase in 2 Kings 20:17, “that which thy fathers have laid up,” appears to contradict 2 Kings 18:15-16. Schrader regards this as an indication that Hezekiah’s illness and the embassy of Merodach-baladan belong to the time preceding Sennacherib’s invasion. Thenius, however, supposes that Hezekiah simply gave all the money in his treasury to... 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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