2 Kings 20:20 NIV

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 20:20

And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might ,.... Which he exerted in his wars with his enemies, and in the reformation of religion, and abolition of idolatry: and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city ; at the same time that he cut it off from the enemy without, see 2 Chronicles 32:3 , are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah ? a book often referred to in this history, but since lost; many of his acts are... read more

Adam Clarke

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

The rest of the acts of Hezekiah - See the parallel places in Isaiah and in 2 Chronicles. In this latter book, 2 Chronicles 32:24-33 , we find several particulars that are not inserted here; especially concerning his pride, the increase of his riches, his storehouses of corn, wine, and oil; his stalls for all manner of beasts; his cities, flocks, and herds, in abundance; and the bringing the upper water course of Gihon to the west side of the city of David, by which he brought... 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 20:12-21

Hezekiah and the ambassadors. Friendly greetings are always welcome. They are especially so after a time of sickness. Hezekiah's illness, no doubt, called forth many expressions of sympathy, and, among the rest, a message and present from Merodach-Baladan King of Babylon. The ambassadors who bore the message and the present were very courteously received by Hezekiah. Unfortunately, he allowed himself to be unduly elated by the honor done to him by the heathen king. He showed the messengers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 20:20

And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might. Hezekiah's "might" was chiefly shown in the earlier portion of his reign, when he "smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof" ( 2 Kings 18:8 ). Against Assyria he was unsuccessful, and must have succumbed, but for the miraculous destruction of Sennacherib's host. And how he made a pool ; rather, the pool , or the reservoir . The writer of Kings either knows of one pool only in the neighborhood of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 20:20-21

The great works of Hezekiah , and his decease. Hezekiah was known, not only as a pious king, and the king in whose reign the pride of the Assyrians was dashed to the ground, but also as one who, by works of great importance, conferred permanent benefit on Jerusalem (see 2 Chronicles 32:3-5 and 2 Chronicles 32:30 ; Ecclesiasticus 48:17). The writer feels that he cannot conclude his notice of Hezekiah's reign without some mention of these works. He enters, however, into no description,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.