THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET
ISAIAH

Isaiah 39

1Merodach-baladan sendeth ambassadors to Hezekiah upon his recovery, who ostentatiously sheweth them his treasures. 3Isaiah hearing thereof foretelleth the Babylonish captivity.


1AT1 that time 2Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

1 This historical account is taken from 2 Kings 20:12.

2 He is called in 2 Kings 20:12 Berodach-baladan.

2And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them 3the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

3 It is said in 2 Kings 20:13 all the house of his precious things.

3¶Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, 4What 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.

4 By the inspiration of God the prophet knew well enough what those men had said; but he asks it that he might hear it from Hezekiah’s own mouth, and take occasion from this to declare the word of the Lord unto him. Thus did Nathan likewise deal with David, 2 Sam. 12:1.

4Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

5Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:

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

7And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be 5eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

5 Or, courtiers. Hebr. eunuchs. See the annotation at Gen. 37 on verse 36.

8Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and 6truth in my days.

6 Or, sure prosperity, or faithfulness, that is, sure, stable, constant peace.