Isaiah 38

Isaiah 38:1

In those dayes] Shortly after Sennacheribs defeat and departure.

shalt die] Yet a secret reservation there was. See Jer. XVIII. 7, 8. Ezek. III. 18. See the Observations on Jonah III. 4.

Isaiah 38:2

to the wall] Which haply might be towards the Temple: or by that withdrawing, that he might with the more privacie, and intention, make his addresse to God.

Isaiah 38:3

remember now] Humbly appealing to God, touching the integrity and sincerity of his heart, and endeavours.

wept sre] One cause might be the want of a son. Manasseh was not yet born. And the State of Church, and Common-wealth much unsetled.

Isaiah 38:4

Then] Afore Esay was gone out into the middle Court, 2 Kings XX. 4. where the text is Citie; but the margin, Court. And the first Court of the Kings house, that neerest the Palace, and farthest from the street or Citie, seemes here to be meant.

Isaiah 38:5

to thy dayes] That he had lived already.

Isaiah 38:6

fifteene years] About the one half of his reigne.

will deliver thee and this Citie] The promise before made, is again here renewed; assuring him, as of his life; so of peace and tranquility to be continued to him, with it; that Sennacherib should not return; or any Assyrian to molest him, or this Citie, 2 Chron. XXXII. 22. which yet afterwards was done in the dayes of his son Manasseh, 2 Chron. XXXIII. 11.

Isaiah 38:7

a Signe] Asked by Hezekiah, ver. 22. and put to his choise, 2 Kings XX. 8, 10.

Isaiah 38:8

So the Sunne returned ten degrees] Not the shadow only: which indeed depended upon the Sunne. Nor could forraine people in remote places have taken notice of this miracle, had no alteration beene in the course of the Universe, 2 Cron. XXXII. 31. For this miracle as it was visible in Judea, so in other parts of the world also; particularly in Babylon; the King and Princes whereof observing the thing, yet ignorant of the occasion, except by report only, which might deceive, for their further satisfaction send Ambassadors to Hezekiah, not only to congratulate his recovery, but to enquire of the wonder, 2 Chron. XXXII. 31. In this Miracle, if the Sunne went back in its ordinary pace and swiftnesse; and in like sort did returne forward againe, then that Day-light must be long thirty two hours, if by a degree, an hour be understood.

If the Sunne returned back ten degrees in an instant, then it must be long twenty two hours. But by a degree here most likely half an hour is understood. See more of this in the Annotations on this text, and my Observations on 2 Kings XX. 9, 10, 11.

Isaiah 38:16

by these things men live] By thy promises, and preformances of the same, by his speaking and doing, verse 15.

is the life of my spirit] As the life of all men is so continued; so by these things is the life of my spirit miraculously prolonged, and I recovered; and shall out-live in all the rest of my years that bitternesse of my soul into which I was formerly cast, ver. 15.

Isaiah 38:17

For Peace I had great bitternesse] Instead of it, or presently after it, and upon it; upon that peace from the Assyrian, by his overthrow; then this grievous bitter affliction suddenly surprized me.

Isaiah 38:21

a lump of figs] This might have no power in it; or, if any at all, yet not sufficient to this so signal and sudden a cure.

Isaiah 38:22

that I shall go] So soone as within three dayes, as God had graciously promised, 2 Kings XX. 5. And for which he asked the Signe, 2 Kings XX. 8.