King James Version
2 Kings 20
21 verses with commentary
Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Set: Heb. Give charge concerning thine house
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereig...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **In those days**—*i.e.,* in the time of the Assyrian invasion. The illness may have been caused, or at least aggravated, by the intense anxiety which this grave peril created. Hezekiah reigned 29 years (2Kings 18:2), and the invasion began in his 14th year (2Kings 18:13). In 2Kings 20:6 he is promised 15 years of life, and deliverance from the king of Assyria. That Hezekiah recovered *before*...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 20
Chapter Outline
Benhadad besieges Samaria.(1-11)
Benhadad's defeat.(12-21)
The Syrians again defeated.(22-30)
Ahab makes peace with Benhadad.(31-43)
**Verses 1-11**
Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies...
Read full commentary →Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Then he turned his face*.****—And he turned his face round* (1Kings 21:4). Hezekiah did so to avoid being disturbed in his prayer; and perhaps because grief instinctively seeks a hiding-place.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 20
Chapter Outline
Benhadad besieges Samaria.(1-11)
Benhadad's defeat.(12-21)
The Syrians again defeated.(22-30)
Ahab makes peace with Benhadad.(31-43)
**Verses 1-11**
Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies...
Read full commentary →I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. sore: Heb. with a great weeping
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historic...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Remember now how I have walked** **. . .**—Hezekiah deprecates an untimely death—the punishment of the wicked (Proverbs 10:27)—on account of his zeal for Jehovah and against the idols. As Thenius remarks, there is nothing surprising in his apparent self-praise if we remember such passages as Psalm 18:20; Psalm 7:8; Nehemiah 13:14. Josephus sets down the poignancy of his sorrow to childlessne...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 20
Chapter Outline
Benhadad besieges Samaria.(1-11)
Benhadad's defeat.(12-21)
The Syrians again defeated.(22-30)
Ahab makes peace with Benhadad.(31-43)
**Verses 1-11**
Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies...
Read full commentary →And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court , that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, court: or, city
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Into the middle court.**—This is the reading of some Heb. MSS., and of all the versions. The Hebrew text (*city;* see margin) is wrong. Before Isaiah had left the precincts of the palace, he was bidden to return. (Keil says that here, as in 2Kings 10:25, the word rendered “city” denotes “castle,” *i.e.,* the royal residence.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. in the portion of Jezreel--**that is, that had formerly been the vineyard of Naboth.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 20
Chapter Outline
Benhadad besieges Samaria.(1-11)
Benhadad's defeat.(12-21)
The Syrians again defeated.(22-30)
Ahab makes peace with Benhadad.(31-43)
**Verses 1-11**
Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies...
Read full commentary →Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's cove...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **The captain of my people.**—Or, *ruler *(*nāgîd*)*;* a designation of honour (1Kings 1:35; 1Samuel 10:1). This is wanting in Isaiah 38, as well as the end of the verse “I will heal thee,” &c. That narrative looks like an abbreviated transcript of the present, or of a common original.
**On the third day.**—Comp. Hosea 6:2. Here, however, there is no ground for understanding the expression oth...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. Is all well? &c.--**Jehu's attendants knew that the stranger belonged to the order of the prophets by his garb, gestures, and form of address; and soldiers such as they very readily concluded such persons to be crackbrained, not only from the sordid negligence of their personal appearance and their open contempt of the world, but from the religious pursuits in which their whole lives wer...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 20
Chapter Outline
Benhadad besieges Samaria.(1-11)
Benhadad's defeat.(12-21)
The Syrians again defeated.(22-30)
Ahab makes peace with Benhadad.(31-43)
**Verses 1-11**
Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies...
Read full commentary →And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinat...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **I will add unto thy days fifteen years.**—In the Jewish reckoning fourteen years and a fraction of a year would count as fifteen years. With this very definite prediction comp. Isaiah 7:8; Isaiah 23:15; Jeremiah 25:11-12.
**And I will deliver thee** **. . .**—So that the Assyrians had not yet retired from the West. For the rest of the verse see 2Kings 19:34.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 20
Chapter Outline
Benhadad besieges Samaria.(1-11)
Benhadad's defeat.(12-21)
The Syrians again defeated.(22-30)
Ahab makes peace with Benhadad.(31-43)
**Verses 1-11**
Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies...
Read full commentary →And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation. <br><br>The narrat...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7, 8) In Isaiah these two verses are given at the end of the narrative; a position in which they are obviously out of place. Probably some copyist, after accidentally omitting them where they properly belonged, added them there, “with marks for insertion in their proper places, which marks were afterwards neglected by transcribers” (*Lowth,* cited by *Cheyne*)*,* perhaps because they had become o...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. they hasted, and took every man his garment--**the upper cloak which they spread on the ground, as a token of their homage to their distinguished commander (Mt 21:7).
**top of the stairs--**from the room where the prophet had privately anointed Jehu. That general returned to join his brother officers in the public apartment, who, immediately on learning his destined elevation, conducted hi...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 20
Chapter Outline
Benhadad besieges Samaria.(1-11)
Benhadad's defeat.(12-21)
The Syrians again defeated.(22-30)
Ahab makes peace with Benhadad.(31-43)
**Verses 1-11**
Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies...
Read full commentary →And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. In Judah's late...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **What shall be the sign** **. . .?**—Comp. 2Kings 19:29 and note; Isaiah 7:11 *seq.,* where Isaiah requests Ahaz to choose a sign. The sign was obviously a token that the prophet’s word would come true.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14-15. Joram had kept Ramoth-gilead--**rather, "was keeping," guarding, or besieging it, with the greater part of the military force of Israel. The king's wounds had compelled his retirement from the scene of action, and so the troops were left in command of Jehu.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 20
Chapter Outline
Benhadad besieges Samaria.(1-11)
Benhadad's defeat.(12-21)
The Syrians again defeated.(22-30)
Ahab makes peace with Benhadad.(31-43)
**Verses 1-11**
Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies...
Read full commentary →And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over histori...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?**—Rather, *the shadow hath marched* (or *travelled*)* ten steps; shall it return ten steps?* This is what the Hebrew text seems to say at a first glance. But Hezekiah’s answer apparently implies an alternative; and we *might* render: “the shadow shall have travelled ten steps; or shall it return ten steps?” (Comp. the LXX. πορε...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14-15. Joram had kept Ramoth-gilead--**rather, "was keeping," guarding, or besieging it, with the greater part of the military force of Israel. The king's wounds had compelled his retirement from the scene of action, and so the troops were left in command of Jehu.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 20
Chapter Outline
Benhadad besieges Samaria.(1-11)
Benhadad's defeat.(12-21)
The Syrians again defeated.(22-30)
Ahab makes peace with Benhadad.(31-43)
**Verses 1-11**
Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies...
Read full commentary →And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **It is a light thing for the shadow to go down.**—Because that was the ordinary course of things. As a natural phenomenon, of course, the *sudden* extension of the shadow would have been as wonderful as its retrogression; but what is in any way a familiar occurrence must needs *seem* easier than what has never fallen under observation.
**To go down.**—Rather, *to spread.* The LXX. has κλῖναι...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel--**Full of ambitious designs, he immediately proceeded to cross the Jordan to execute his commission on the house of Ahab.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 20
Chapter Outline
Benhadad besieges Samaria.(1-11)
Benhadad's defeat.(12-21)
The Syrians again defeated.(22-30)
Ahab makes peace with Benhadad.(31-43)
**Verses 1-11**
Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies...
Read full commentary →And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz. dial: Heb. degrees
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord.**—Thus the sign is evidently regarded by the historian as something directly involving the Divine agency, *i.e.,* as a miracle.
**He brought . . . Ahaz.**—Literally, *and he *(*i.e.,* Jehovah) *made the shadow return on the steps, which it had descended in the steps of Ahaz, backward ten steps.* On the question of how it was done, a good many opin...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-24. there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel--**The Hebrew palaces, besides being situated on hills had usually towers attached to them, not only for the pleasure of a fine prospect, but as posts of useful observation. The ancient watchtower of Jezreel must have commanded a view of the whole region eastward, nearly down to the Jordan. Beth-shan stands on a rising ground about six or sev...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 20
Chapter Outline
Benhadad besieges Samaria.(1-11)
Benhadad's defeat.(12-21)
The Syrians again defeated.(22-30)
Ahab makes peace with Benhadad.(31-43)
**Verses 1-11**
Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies...
Read full commentary →Envoys from Babylon
At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. Berodachbaladan: or, Merodachbaladan
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>At that time Berodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. In Judah's later...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**THE EMBASSY OP MERODACH-BALADAN**
(2Kings 20:12-19).
(12) **At that time Berodach-baladan.**—As to the name, *Berodach* is a transcriber’s error for *Merodach* (Jeremiah 1:2). Some MSS. of Kings, and the LXX., Syriac, and Arabic, as well as Isaiah 39:1, and the Talmud, spell the name with *m,* a letter easily confused with *b* in Hebrew. Above all, the cuneiform inscriptions present *Marduk* (or...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-24. there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel--**The Hebrew palaces, besides being situated on hills had usually towers attached to them, not only for the pleasure of a fine prospect, but as posts of useful observation. The ancient watchtower of Jezreel must have commanded a view of the whole region eastward, nearly down to the Jordan. Beth-shan stands on a rising ground about six or sev...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-21**
The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.
And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. precious things: or, spicery armour: or, jewels: Heb. vessels
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(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 2Kings 20:17, “that which thy fathers have laid up,” appears to contradict 2Kings 18:15-16. Schrader regards this as an indication that Hezekiah’s illness and the embassy of Merodach-baladan belong to the time preceding Sennach...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-24. there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel--**The Hebrew palaces, besides being situated on hills had usually towers attached to them, not only for the pleasure of a fine prospect, but as posts of useful observation. The ancient watchtower of Jezreel must have commanded a view of the whole region eastward, nearly down to the Jordan. Beth-shan stands on a rising ground about six or sev...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-21**
The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.
Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **What said these men?**—“Isaiah, with that fearless assumption of a superior position which we have noticed in Isaiah 7, at once challenges the king to explain his conduct. Jehovah’s will is opposed to all coquetting with foreign powers. (Comp. Isaiah 30:1.)” [*Cheyne*.]
**From a far country.**—So the Assyrian kings describe Palestine as “a far off land,” using the same adjective (*rûqu*)*.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-24. there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel--**The Hebrew palaces, besides being situated on hills had usually towers attached to them, not only for the pleasure of a fine prospect, but as posts of useful observation. The ancient watchtower of Jezreel must have commanded a view of the whole region eastward, nearly down to the Jordan. Beth-shan stands on a rising ground about six or sev...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-21**
The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.
And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-24. there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel--**The Hebrew palaces, besides being situated on hills had usually towers attached to them, not only for the pleasure of a fine prospect, but as posts of useful observation. The ancient watchtower of Jezreel must have commanded a view of the whole region eastward, nearly down to the Jordan. Beth-shan stands on a rising ground about six or sev...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-21**
The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.
And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that externa...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-24. there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel--**The Hebrew palaces, besides being situated on hills had usually towers attached to them, not only for the pleasure of a fine prospect, but as posts of useful observation. The ancient watchtower of Jezreel must have commanded a view of the whole region eastward, nearly down to the Jordan. Beth-shan stands on a rising ground about six or sev...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-21**
The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.
Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign cont...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **Behold, the days come** **. . .**—Comp. 2Chronicles 32:25-26; 2Chronicles 32:31. It is there said that Divine wrath fell upon Hezekiah, because his heart was lifted up; and that the Babylonian embassy was an occasion in which God made proof of his inward tendencies. Self-confidence and vanity would be awakened in Hezekiah’s heart as he displayed all his resources to the envoys, and heard th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-24. there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel--**The Hebrew palaces, besides being situated on hills had usually towers attached to them, not only for the pleasure of a fine prospect, but as posts of useful observation. The ancient watchtower of Jezreel must have commanded a view of the whole region eastward, nearly down to the Jordan. Beth-shan stands on a rising ground about six or sev...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-21**
The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.
And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. In Judah's later h...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **Thy sons . . . beget**—*i.e.*, thy descendants. Comp, the fulfilment (Daniel 1:3). Ewald refers to the captivity of Hezekiah’s own son Manasseh (2Chronicles 33:11).
**Eunuchs.**—Rather, *courtiers, palace attendants* (so Josephus). Cheyne, “chamberlains” (so Thenius: *kämmerer*)*.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-24. there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel--**The Hebrew palaces, besides being situated on hills had usually towers attached to them, not only for the pleasure of a fine prospect, but as posts of useful observation. The ancient watchtower of Jezreel must have commanded a view of the whole region eastward, nearly down to the Jordan. Beth-shan stands on a rising ground about six or sev...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-21**
The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.
Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days? Is it: or, Shall there not be peace and truth, etc
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. In Judah's lat...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **Good is the word of the Lord** **. . .**—Pious acquiescence in the will of God. (Comp. Eli’s: “It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.” Comp, also a similar expression in 1Kings 2:38.)
**Is it not good, if peace** **. . .**—This rendering appears to be right. Severe as is the prophetic word of judgment, it contains an element of mercy, in that Hezekiah himself is spared. The words...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**25. cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite, &c.--**according to the doom pronounced by divine authority on Ahab (1Ki 21:19), but which on his repentance was deferred to be executed on his son.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-21**
The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.
And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordina...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **His might.**—See 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 33:18; Psalm 48:12-13.
**A pool . . . a conduit . . . water.**—Rather, *the pool* . . . *the conduit* . . . *the water.* The pool of Hezekiah is now the *Birket-Hammâm-el-Batrak.* (See Notes on 2Chronicles 32:4; 2Chronicles 32:30, and Isaiah 7:3.)
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26. the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the Lord--**Although their death is not expressly mentioned, it is plainly implied in the confiscation of his property (see 1Ki 21:16).
2Ki 9:27-35. Ahaziah Is Slain.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-21**
The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation. <br><br>The narrative demonstrate...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**27. Ahaziah--**was grandnephew to King Joram, and great-grandson to King Ahab.
**Ibleam--**near Megiddo, in the tribe of Issachar (Jos 17:11; Jud 1:27); and Gur was an adjoining hill.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-21**
The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.