2 Kings 20:19

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 20:19

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 20:12-19

The embassy of Merodach-Baladan . Soon after his recovery, Hezekiah received an embassy from a new quarter. Hitherto Babylon and Judaea had been isolated from one another, and had perhaps scarcely known of each other's existence. Assyria had stood between them, and Babylonia had been for the most part an Assyrian dependency. But recently Babylonia had asserted herself. In B.C. 722, on the death of Shalmaneser, a native Chaldean named Meredach-Baladan had made himself king of the country,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 20:12-19

The Babylonian embassy. Berodach-Baladan, or as he is more correctly termed in Isaiah, Merodach-Baladan ( Isaiah 39:1 ), at this time held possession of the throne of Babylon, and was everywhere casting about for alliances to strengthen him against Assyria. We have here the account of his embassy to Hezekiah. I. RECEPTION OF THE BABYLONIAN MESSENGERS . 1. Hezekiah ' s visitors . In the streets of Jerusalem were seen strange men, in princely robes, with servants... 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 20:19

Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. Hezekiah accepts the rebuke, thereby acknowledging himself to have been in the wrong, and submits without remonstrance to his punishment. "Good is the word of the Lord"—who "in his wrath has thought upon mercy." The king feels that God might, in justice, have visited him, in his own person, with some immediate affliction or calamity. It is a relief to hear that the blow will not fall during his lifetime.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 20:19

Good is the word ... - The language is, according to some, that of a true spirit of resignation and humility; according to others, that of a feeling of relief and satisfaction that the evil was not to come in his day. Such a feeling would be but natural, and though not according to the standard of Christian perfectness, would imply no very great defect of character in one who lived under the old Dispensation.Peace and truth - Rather, “peace and continuance.” The evils threatened were war and... read more

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