Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Kings 20
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Kings 20
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Kings 20
"In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Set thy house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live." — 2 Kings 20:1 (ASV)
In those days — Hezekiah seems to have died in 697 B.C., and his illness must belong to 713 or 714 B.C. (compare 2 Kings 20:6), a date that falls early in the reign of Sargon. The true chronological place of this narrative is therefore before all the other events recorded of Hezekiah, except for his religious reforms.
The prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz — This full description of Isaiah (compare 2 Kings 19:2), which includes his father’s name and his office, marks the original independence of this narrative. The author of Kings may have found it completely separate from the other records of Hezekiah and added it in the state in which he found it.
This history shows that prophetic denunciations were often not absolute predictions of what was certain to happen. They were primarily designed to test or lead to repentance those against whom they were uttered, and were fulfilled only if this primary design failed.
"Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto Jehovah, saying," — 2 Kings 20:2 (ASV)
He turned his face to the wall — This is in contrast to 1 Kings 21:4. Ahab turned his face in sullenness because he was too angry to speak, whereas Hezekiah turned his in devotion because he wished to pray undisturbed.
"Remember now, O Jehovah, I beseech thee, 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." — 2 Kings 20:3 (ASV)
Remember now - The old covenant promised temporal prosperity to the righteous, including length of days. Hezekiah, conscious of his faithfulness and integrity (2 Kings 18:3–6), ventures to argue his case (compare also the note on 2 Kings 21:1). According to the highest standard of morality revealed up to that time, there was nothing improper in the king's self-vindication, which has many parallels in the Psalms of David (Psalms 7:3–10; Psalms 18:19–26; Psalms 26:1–8; etc.).
"And it came to pass, before Isaiah was gone out into the middle part of the city, that the word of Jehovah came to him, saying," — 2 Kings 20:4 (ASV)
The middle court—that is, the court of the royal palace. This interpretation is preferable to the one found in the margin.
"Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the prince of my people, Thus saith Jehovah, 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 Jehovah." — 2 Kings 20:5 (ASV)
The captain of my people - This phrase, which does not occur elsewhere in Kings, is remarkable. It speaks to the authenticity of this full report of the prophet’s actual words, which are abbreviated in other places . The title, “Captain (nāgîd) of God’s people,” commonly used for David, is applied to Hezekiah as David’s true follower (2 Kings 18:3).
Jump to: