Thomas Aquinas Commentary Isaiah 39:1-8

"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 was recovered. And Hezekiah was glad of them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and 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 showed them not. Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon. Then said he, What have 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. Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of Jehovah of hosts: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in thy house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith Jehovah. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, whom thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of Jehovah which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days." — Isaiah 39:1-8 (ASV)

1. At that time. The first point concerns the congratulations from friends, shown in the sending of messengers and gifts. The author describes the sending of the messengers: the king of Babylon, who was then under the Assyrians, and books (that is, letters). The reason was that he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick and was recovered, but especially because of the sign he had seen in the turning back of the sun. As it is written, he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Arabia (Psalms 72:15).

2. Second, he describes the vainglory of Hezekiah himself, which he felt because of this. The author notes the joy of vainglory: Hezekiah rejoiced. Against this is what is said in Job 31:25: if I have rejoiced over my great riches.

   He also notes the manifestation of vainglory in Hezekiah’s works, in the display of his riches: and he showed them the storehouses of his aromatic spices. These are called fragrant species, and the storehouse was either the place where kings were buried or the lower part of the “house of the forest,” which was made of alabaster where such things were best preserved. He also showed them his storehouses (cellars). There was no word (nothing of note) left unseen in all his dominion, including those things in the temple, which had been brought under the king’s control. As Scripture says, bring not every man into your house .

3. Third, he describes the rebuke for his vainglory: then Isaiah the prophet came.

   First, the author notes the inquiry and the revealing of Hezekiah’s fault: there was not any thing which I have not shown them in my treasures. As it is written, counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water (Proverbs 20:5).

   Second, Isaiah threatens punishment: and Isaiah said. This punishment concerns the loss of his goods—all that is in your house—as the Lord says in Jeremiah 27:6: I have given all these lands into the hand of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon. It also concerns the servitude of his children: and of your children. It is said this was fulfilled in Daniel and his companions, not because they were eunuchs in body, but in mind and office. As it is written, your sons and your daughters will be given to another people (Deuteronomy 28:32).

   Third, the author describes Hezekiah’s acceptance of the punishment: and Hezekiah said. He said the word of the Lord was good (just). He prayed for peace (from the Assyrians) and for the truth (of religion) to remain. As Isaiah says, Lord, you will give us peace (Isaiah 26:12). .