Matthew Poole's Commentary At that time Merodachbaladan, 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. The king of Babel sendeth ambassadors with letters and a present to Hezekiah; who showeth them all his treasures, Isaiah 39:1-2. Isaiah foretelleth him of the Babylonish captivity, Isaiah 39:3-7. His resignation, Isaiah 39:8. No text from Poole on this verse. And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the 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. No text from Poole on this verse. 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. No text from Poole on this verse. Then 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. No text from Poole on this verse. Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: No text from Poole on this verse. Behold, 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. No text from Poole on this verse. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. No text from Poole on this verse. Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days. The history contained in this chapter is related in the same words, 2 Kings 20:12, &c., only he who here is called Merodach is there called Berodach, merely by the change of one letter, which is very usual in the Hebrew language, especially in proper names, as Dimon is put for Dibon, Isaiah 15:9, and the same man is called Nebuchadnezzar and Nebuchadrezzar. This king is called Merodach from the idol so called, Jeremiah 1:2, and Baladan from his father’s name. But whether this man was an Assyrian, or a Mede, or a Babylonian, it is not easy to determine, nor worth while to inquire. But this is certain, that about this time there were wars between the Assyrians and the Babylonians, the issue whereof was, that the latter subdued the former. |
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