1 At that time, Merodach Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah; for he heard that he had been sick, and had recovered. 2 Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, and all the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah didn't show them. 3 Then Isaiah the prophet came to king Hezekiah, and asked him, "What did these men say? Where did they come from to you?" Hezekiah said, "They have come from a country far from me, even from Babylon." 4 Then he asked, "What have they seen in your house?" Hezekiah answered, "They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them." 5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of Yahweh of Armies: 6 'Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left,' says Yahweh. 7 'They will take away your sons who will issue from you, whom you shall father, and they will be eunuchs in the king of Babylon's palace.'" 8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "Yahweh's word which you have spoken is good." He said moreover, "For there will be peace and truth in my days."
This short chapter completes the historical part of Isaiah. The same record occurs with some slight changes in 2-Kings 20:12-21. Compare the Introduction to Isaiah. 36. The chapter is composed of the following parts: -
1. The statement that the king of Babylon sent an embassage to Hezekiah to congratulate him on his recovery Isaiah 39:1. This embassage contemplated also an inquiry into the truth of the report in regard to the miracle on the sun-dial 2-Chronicles 32:31.
2. Hezekiah showed them all his treasures in an ostentatious and improper manner Isaiah 39:2. This was permitted, in order that he might be tried, and might know all that was in his own heart, and not be lifted up with pride, and with the conviction of his own righteousness 2-Chronicles 32:31.
3. Isaiah is sent with a message to Hezekiah to inquire what he had done, and who those ambassadors were Isaiah 39:3-5.
4. He is directed to deliver the solemn message of God that Jerusalem should be taken, and that all its inhabitants and all its treasures should be carried to Babylon - the place from where those ambassadors came Isaiah 39:5-7.
5. Hezekiah expresses submission to the just sentence and purpose of God, and gratitude that it should not occur in his days Isaiah 39:8.
The Babylonish monarch sends letters of congratulation and a present to Hezekiah, on account of his recovery from his late dangerous illness, Isaiah 39:1. The king of Judah shows the messengers of Merodach-baladan all the treasures of his house and kingdom, Isaiah 39:2. The prophet takes occasion from this ostentatious display of the king to predict the captivity of the royal family, and of the people, by the Babylonians, Isaiah 39:3-8.
Hitherto the copy of this history in the second book of Kings has been much the most correct; in this chapter that in Isaiah has the advantage. In the two first verses two mistakes in the other copy are to be corrected from this: for הזקיהו hizkiyahu, read ויחזק vayechezek, and was recovered; and for וישמע vaiyishma, he heard, read וישמח vaiyismach, he rejoiced.
INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 39
This chapter gives an account of Hezekiah's fall into sin after his recovery, and the correction he had for it. The king of Babylon sent messengers to him to congratulate him upon his recovery, Isaiah 39:1. Hezekiah received them with great joy, and in the pride of his heart showed them all his treasures, Isaiah 39:2. Isaiah the prophet examined him about it, which he readily owned, Isaiah 39:3 upon which the Babylonish captivity is foretold, when all his riches and his children too should be carried into that land, Isaiah 39:5, to which sentence he quietly and patiently submitted, Isaiah 39:8.
This chapter is the same as 2-Kings 20:12-19.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.