Verse 1

At that time a Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent b letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and had recovered.

(a) This was the first king of Babylon, who overcame the Assyrians in the tenth year of his reign.

Verse 2

And Hezekiah was c glad of them, and showed them 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 treasuries: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah did not show them.

(c) Read (2 Kings 20:13) ; (2 Chronicles 32:25), (2 Chronicles 32:31).

Verse 4

Then said he, What have d they seen in thy house? And Hezekiah answered, All that [is] in my house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not showed them.

(d) He asks him of the particulars, to make him understand the craft of the wicked, which he before being overcome with their flattery and blinded with ambition, could not see.

Verse 6

Behold, the days come, that all that [is] in thy house, and [that] which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be e carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

(e) By the grievousness of the punishment is declared how greatly God detested ambition and vain glory.

Verse 7

And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be f eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

(f) That is, officers and servants.

Verse 8

g Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good [is] the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.

(g) Read (2 Kings 20:19).