Commentary on 2 Kings 20

2 Kings 20 recounts two significant events in the life of King Hezekiah: his miraculous recovery from a terminal illness and his foolish display of wealth to Babylonian envoys. In the first narrative, God graciously extends Hezekiah's life by fifteen years in response to his fervent prayer, confirming the promise with a unique sign. The second narrative reveals Hezekiah's pride and lack of foresight, leading to a prophecy of Judah's future exile to Babylon, highlighting the consequences of human weakness even in a righteous king.

Historical context

This chapter continues the narrative of King Hezekiah's reign in Judah, following the dramatic deliverance from the Assyrian threat in 2 Kings 19. The events described here likely occurred around the time of the Assyrian siege or shortly after, as Hezekiah's illness is placed before his death and the Babylonian embassy is usually dated to 701 BC or slightly later. Judah, though miraculously spared from Assyria, remained a small kingdom navigating the complex political landscape of the ancient Near East.

The Babylonian envoys represent a rising power. While Assyria was still dominant, Babylon was beginning to assert itself, and its interest in Judah was likely strategic, seeking potential allies against Assyrian hegemony. The author of 2 Kings, writing from a later perspective (likely during or after the Babylonian exile), uses Hezekiah's actions with these envoys to foreshadow the eventual destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of Judah to Babylon, providing a theological explanation for these future catastrophic events.

Verse by verse

• 1:

  Hezekiah falls deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah delivers a stark message from the Lord: “Set your house in order, for you are going to die.” This pronouncement highlights the finality of death and the need for preparation, even for a righteous king.

• 2:

  Hezekiah turns his face to the wall and prays fervently to the Lord. This posture signifies deep humility and desperation, demonstrating his complete reliance on God in his time of crisis.

• 3:

  Hezekiah appeals to God's faithfulness, reminding Him of his righteous life and wholehearted devotion. This is not a demand but a humble plea based on his covenant relationship with God, trusting in God's character.

• 4:

  Before Isaiah even leaves the middle courtyard, the Lord speaks to him, demonstrating God's immediate and compassionate response to Hezekiah's prayer. This highlights God's attentiveness to His people's cries.

• 5:

  God promises to add fifteen years to Hezekiah's life and to deliver him and Jerusalem from the king of Assyria. This promise confirms God's mercy and His continued protection over His chosen city, linking Hezekiah's recovery to the broader narrative of divine deliverance.

• 7:

  Isaiah instructs that a poultice of figs be applied to Hezekiah's boil, and he recovers. This shows that God often uses natural means in conjunction with His miraculous power, not always acting outside of created order.

• 8:

  Hezekiah asks for a sign to confirm the Lord's promise of healing. This is not a lack of faith but a desire for assurance, similar to Gideon's request for a sign (Judg 6:36-40).

• 9:

  Isaiah offers Hezekiah a choice for the sign: the shadow on the sundial moving forward ten steps or backward ten steps. The choice of moving backward is the more miraculous and counter-intuitive option.

• 11:

  Isaiah calls on the Lord, and the shadow on the sundial moves backward ten steps. This extraordinary miracle confirms God's power and His faithfulness to His word, providing undeniable proof of His intervention.

• 12:

  Merodach-Baladan, king of Babylon, sends envoys to Hezekiah, likely to congratulate him on his recovery and potentially to explore an alliance against Assyria. This marks Babylon's entry into the narrative as a significant future power.

• 13:

  Hezekiah, in a moment of pride or foolishness, shows the Babylonian envoys all his treasures and armories. This display of wealth and military might is a grave error, revealing Judah's vulnerability and Hezekiah's lack of discernment.

• 16:

  Isaiah confronts Hezekiah, asking what the men said and where they came from. This prophetic inquiry sets the stage for God's judgment on Hezekiah's actions.

• 17:

  Isaiah delivers a sobering prophecy: “The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures your ancestors have accumulated to this day—will be carried off to Babylon.” This directly links Hezekiah's foolish display to Judah's future exile.

• 18:

  Furthermore, Isaiah prophesies that some of Hezekiah's own descendants will be taken away to serve as eunuchs in the Babylonian palace. This is a severe judgment, highlighting the complete subjugation and humiliation of the royal line.

• 19:

  Hezekiah's response is surprisingly complacent: “The Lord’s message is good.” He is relieved that the judgment will not occur in his lifetime, revealing a self-centered concern for immediate peace rather than future consequences for his people.

Key themes

• God's gracious response to prayer
• Divine sovereignty over life and death
• The danger of human pride
• Prophecy of Babylonian exile
• God's use of signs and wonders

Application

2 Kings 20 offers profound insights into both God's character and human nature. Hezekiah's desperate prayer and God's immediate, miraculous response remind us of the power of fervent prayer and God's compassion. Even when faced with a seemingly irreversible decree, God can intervene and change circumstances. This encourages us to bring our deepest fears and most impossible situations before Him, trusting in His sovereign power and merciful heart.

However, the chapter also serves as a cautionary tale. Hezekiah, despite his righteousness and recent deliverance, succumbs to pride when he displays his treasures to the Babylonian envoys. This act of self-glorification, rather than glorifying God for his blessings, leads to a devastating prophecy of future exile. This reminds us that even after experiencing great blessings and miracles, we remain susceptible to pride and foolishness. We are called to humility, acknowledging that all we have comes from God, and to exercise wisdom in how we steward His gifts, always considering the long-term implications for His kingdom and His people, not just our immediate comfort.

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