Chapter 20:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 Kings 1 Chronicles
2 Kings 20
Concise Complete
Hezekiah's sickness, His recovery in answer to prayer.
(1-11) Hezekiah shows his treasures to the ambassadors from Babylon, His death.
(12-21)
Verses 1-11
Hezekiah was sick unto death, in the same year in which the king of Assyria
besieged Jerusalem. A warning to prepare for death was brought to Hezekiah by
Isaiah. Prayer is one of the best preparations for death, because by it we fetch
in strength and grace from God, to enable us to finish well. He wept sorely:
some gather from hence that he was unwilling to die; it is in the nature of man
to dread the separation of soul and body. There was also something peculiar in
Hezekiah's case; he was now in the midst of his usefulness. Let Hezekiah's
prayer, see Isa 38. interpret his tears; in that is nothing which is like his
having been under that fear of death, which has bondage or torment. Hezekiah's
piety made his sick-bed easy. "O Lord, remember now;" he does not speak as if
God needed to be put in mind of any thing by us; nor, as if the reward might be
demanded as due; it is Christ's righteousness only that is the purchase of mercy
and grace. Hezekiah does not pray, Lord, spare me; but, Lord, remember me;
whether I live or die, let me be thine. God always hears the prayers of the
broken in heart, and will give health, length of days, and temporal
deliverances, as much and as long as is truly good for them. Means were to be
used for Hezekiah's recovery; yet, considering to what a height the disease was
come, and how suddenly it was checked, the cure was miraculous. It is our duty,
when sick, to use such means as are proper to help nature, else we do not trust
God, but tempt him. For the confirmation of his faith, the shadow of the sun was
carried back, and the light was continued longer than usual, in a miraculous
manner. This work of wonder shows the power of God in heaven as well as on
earth, the great notice he takes of prayer, and the great favour he bears to his
chosen.
Verses 12-21
The king of Babylon was at this time independent of the king of Assyria, though
shortly after subdued by him. Hezekiah showed his treasures and armour, and
other proofs of his wealth and power. This was the effect of pride and
ostentation, and departing from simple reliance on God. He also seems to have
missed the opportunity of speaking to the Chaldeans, about Him who had wrought
the miracles which excited their attention, and of pointing out to them the
absurdity and evil of idolatry. What is more common than to show our friends our
houses and possessions? But if we do this in the pride of ours hearts, to gain
applause from men, not giving praise to God, it becomes sin in us, as it did in
Hezekiah. We may expect vexation from every object with which we are unduly
pleased. Isaiah, who had often been Hezekiah's comforter, is now is reprover.
The blessed Spirit is both,
john 16:7,8. Ministers must be both, as there is occasion. Hezekiah allowed the justice of the
sentence, and God's goodness in the respite. Yet the prospect respecting his
family and nation must have given him many painful feelings. Hezekiah was indeed
humbled for the pride of his heart. And blessed are the dead who die in the
Lord; for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.
Chapter 20:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 Kings 1 Chronicles
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
