Isaiah 39

The King of Babel sendeth Ambassadors with letters and with a present to Hezekiah, verse 1. Who sheweth them all his treasures, 2. About which Isaiah speaketh unto him, and foretelleth of him of the Babylonish captivity, 3 etc. Compare 2 Kings 20. From verse 12.]

1. At that time Merodach Baladan [2 Kings 20:12. He is called Berodach, or Bredach] the son of Baladan, King of Babel, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard, that he had been sick, and was (again) grown strong. [This history is here brought in from 2 Kings 20.ver.12.]

2. And Hezekiah was glad of them, and he shewed them the house of his treasures. [It is said 2 Kings 20:12. all the house of his treasures.] the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the best oil, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing is his house, your in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

3. Then came Isaiah the prophet unto King Hezekiah, and said unto him, what said those men? [By the inspiration of God the Prophet knew well enough what those men had said. But he asketh it that he might hear it from Hezekiahs own mouth, and from thence take occasion declare the word of the Lord unto him. Thus did Nathan likewise deal with David 2 Sam.12.1.] and from whence are they come unto thee? And Hezekiah said, they are come from a far land unto me, from Babel.

4. And he said, what they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah said, all that is in my house have they seen, there is nothing in my treasures that I have not shewed them.

5. Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah: hear the word of the LORD of hosts.

6. Behold the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store for a treasure until this day, shall be carried away to Babel, there shall be nothing left, saith the LORD.

7. Moreover, of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shall beget, shall they take: that they may be Countries, [Heb. Eunuchs, or gelded ones. See Genes.37. the Annotat. On ver.36.] in the palace of the King of Babel.

8. But Hezekiah said to Isaiah; the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken, is good: he said, also, yet let there be peace and truth: [Or, sure prosperity, or faithfulness; that is, sure, stable, constant peace] in my days.