And Hezekiah received the envoys and showed them all that was in his treasure house--the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, as well as his armory--all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them. And Hezekiah received the messengersHezekiah, the king of Judah, is noted for his piety and reforms, yet here he makes a critical error. The Hebrew root for "received" (קָבַל, qabal) implies acceptance and hospitality. Hezekiah's reception of the Babylonian envoys reflects a diplomatic openness, but it also reveals a lack of discernment. Historically, this act foreshadows the future Babylonian captivity, as Hezekiah unwittingly exposes his kingdom's wealth to a potential adversary. and showed them all that was in his treasure house
The phrase "showed them" (וַיַּרְאֵם, vayyarem) suggests a deliberate display. Hezekiah's action is not merely a tour but a revelation of his kingdom's wealth. The "treasure house" (בֵּית נְכֹת, beit nekhot) signifies a place of accumulated wealth, indicating Judah's prosperity. This act of pride and imprudence contrasts with the biblical principle of humility and discretion, as seen in Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace." the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil
These items represent the wealth and resources of the kingdom. Silver and gold are often symbols of material wealth and power. Spices and precious oil, valuable commodities in the ancient Near East, indicate trade and economic strength. The mention of these specific items highlights the extent of Hezekiah's prosperity but also his vulnerability, as these treasures become a target for foreign powers. as well as his armory
The armory (בֵּית כֵּלִים, beit kelim) refers to the storage of weapons and military equipment. By revealing his armory, Hezekiah exposes his military capabilities and defenses. This act of transparency could be seen as a breach of security, reflecting a lack of wisdom in safeguarding the kingdom's strategic assets. all that was found in his storehouses
The term "storehouses" (אוֹצָרוֹת, otzarot) implies a place of abundance and reserve. Hezekiah's decision to show "all" indicates a complete disclosure of his resources. This comprehensive exposure suggests a lack of foresight, as it provides the Babylonians with detailed knowledge of Judah's wealth and resources, which could be exploited in future conflicts. There was nothing in his palace or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them
This statement underscores the totality of Hezekiah's disclosure. The "palace" (בֵּית, beit) and "dominion" (מַמְלָכָה, mamlakah) represent the heart of his rule and authority. By showing "nothing" withheld, Hezekiah demonstrates a lack of prudence and discernment. This act of transparency, while perhaps intended to impress, ultimately reveals a failure to protect the interests of his kingdom, leading to prophetic warnings of future consequences (2 Kings 20:16-18). Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe king of Judah who is known for his faithfulness to God but also for his human weaknesses. In this passage, he shows the treasures of his kingdom to the Babylonian envoys. 2. Messengers/EnvoysRepresentatives from Babylon sent by King Merodach-Baladan to Hezekiah, ostensibly to congratulate him on his recovery from illness. 3. Treasure HouseThe place where Hezekiah stored the wealth of his kingdom, including silver, gold, spices, and precious oil. 4. ArmoryThe storage for weapons and military equipment, indicating the military strength of Judah. 5. BabylonA rising power at the time, whose interest in Judah's wealth foreshadows future events where Babylon would conquer Judah. Teaching Points The Danger of PrideHezekiah's decision to show off his wealth can be seen as an act of pride. Believers are reminded to guard against pride, which can lead to downfall. Stewardship of ResourcesHezekiah's actions prompt reflection on how we manage and display the resources God has entrusted to us. Are we using them for God's glory or our own? Discernment in RelationshipsHezekiah's lack of discernment in dealing with the Babylonian envoys serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of wisdom in our interactions with others. Consequences of ActionsThe passage foreshadows the future consequences of Hezekiah's actions, reminding us that our choices can have long-term impacts. God's Sovereignty and TestingThe incident illustrates how God can use situations to test and reveal the hearts of His people, encouraging us to remain faithful and humble. Bible Study Questions 1. What motivated Hezekiah to show all his treasures to the Babylonian envoys, and what does this reveal about his character at that moment? 2. How does Hezekiah's interaction with the envoys serve as a warning about the dangers of pride and the importance of humility? 3. In what ways can we apply the lesson of stewardship from Hezekiah's account to our own management of resources and blessings? 4. How does the account of Hezekiah and the Babylonian envoys illustrate the importance of discernment in our relationships and interactions with others? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a test of faith or character. How did you respond, and what did you learn about God's sovereignty and your own heart? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 39This chapter parallels 2 Kings 20 and provides additional context and prophecy regarding the consequences of Hezekiah's actions. 2 Chronicles 32:31Offers insight into why God allowed Hezekiah to be tested by the envoys, highlighting the theme of testing and pride. Proverbs 16:18Relates to the theme of pride preceding a fall, which is evident in Hezekiah's actions. Matthew 6:19-21Jesus' teaching on storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth connects to Hezekiah's display of earthly wealth. People Ahaz, Amoz, Baladan, Berodachbaladan, David, Hezekiah, Isaiah, ManassehPlaces Ararat, Assyria, BabylonTopics Armor, Armory, Armour, Arms, Didn't, Dominion, Fine, Glad, Gold, Hearkened, Hearkeneth, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Kingdom, Listened, Messengers, Nothing, Oil, Ointment, Palace, Precious, Price, Realm, Received, Shew, Shewed, Sheweth, Showed, Silver, Spices, Store, Storehouses, Stores, Treasure, Treasure-house, Treasures, Treasuries, Treasury, Vessels, Wealth, WelcomedDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 20:13 4333 gold
4466 herbs and spices
4488 oil
5503 rich, the
8804 pride, examples 2 Kings 20:12-13 5307 envoy
5976 visiting 2 Kings 20:12-19 4215 Babylon
6701 peace, search for 2 Kings 20:13-17 5476 property Library An Old-Fashioned Home
TEXT: "What have they seen in thy house?"--2 Kings 20:15. If you will tell me what is in your own house by your own choice I will tell you the story of your home life and will be able to inform you whether yours is a home in which there is harmony and peace or confusion and despair. Let me read the names of the guests in your guest book, allow me to study the titles of the books in your library in which you have special delight, permit me to scan your magazines which you particularly like, allow …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotSennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 God's Sovereignty Defined
"Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as Head above all" (1 Chron. 29:11). The Sovereignty of God is an expression that once was generally understood. It was a phrase commonly used in religious literature. It was a theme frequently expounded in the pulpit. It was a truth which brought comfort to many hearts, and gave virility and stability …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God That for the Most Part the Occupation of Government Dissipates the Solidity of the Mind.
Often the care of government, when undertaken, distracts the heart in divers directions; and one is found unequal to dealing with particular things, while with confused mind divided among many. Whence a certain wise man providently dissuades, saying, My son, meddle not with many matters (Ecclus. xi. 10); because, that is, the mind is by no means collected on the plan of any single work while parted among divers. And, when it is drawn abroad by unwonted care, it is emptied of the solidity of inward …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. Each and all of Its Parts Governed by his Providence.
1. Even the wicked, under the guidance of carnal sense, acknowledge that God is the Creator. The godly acknowledge not this only, but that he is a most wise and powerful governor and preserver of all created objects. In so doing, they lean on the Word of God, some passages from which are produced. 2. Refutation of the Epicureans, who oppose fortune and fortuitous causes to Divine Providence, as taught in Scripture. The sun, a bright manifestation of Divine Providence. 3. Figment of the Sophists as …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Interpretation of Prophecy.
1. The scriptural idea of prophecy is widely removed from that of human foresight and presentiment. It is that of a revelation made by the Holy Spirit respecting the future, always in the interest of God's kingdom. It is no part of the plan of prophecy to gratify vain curiosity respecting "the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1:7. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God"--this is its key-note. In its form it is carefully adapted to this great end. …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Kingdom of Judah.
II K. 18-25; II Chron. 28-36. Note: This period covers the time from the fail of Israel to the fall of Judah. It begins in the sixth year of the reign of Hezekiah, whose name is given as the first king of the period since most of his reign was in this instead of the former period. The Kings of this Period. 13. Hezekiah, 2 K. 18:1-20-21; 2 Chron. 29:1-32:33. Reigned 29 years and died. 14. Manasseh, 2 K. 21:1-18; 2 Chron. 33:1-20. Reigned 55 year and died. 15. Amon, 2 K. 21:19-26; 2 Chron. 33:20-25. …
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period The Christian Struggling under Great and Heavy Affliction.
1. Here it is advised--that afflictions should only be expected.--2. That the righteous hand of God should be acknowledged in them when they come.--3. That they should be borne with patience.--4. That the divine conduct in them should be cordially approved.--5. That thankfulness should be maintained in the midst of trials.--6. That the design of afflictions should be diligently inquired into, and all proper assistance taken in discovering it.--7. That, when it is discovered, it should humbly be complied …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Of the Sacraments.
1. Of the sacraments in general. A sacrament defined. 2. Meaning of the word sacrament. 3. Definition explained. Why God seals his promises to us by sacraments. 4. The word which ought to accompany the element, that the sacrament may be complete. 5. Error of those who attempt to separate the word, or promise of God, from the element. 6. Why sacraments are called Signs of the Covenant. 7. They are such signs, though the wicked should receive them, but are signs of grace only to believers. 8. Objections …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
Sections. 1. Summary of the doctrine of Divine Providence. 1. It embraces the future and the past. 2. It works by means, without means, and against means. 3. Mankind, and particularly the Church, the object of special care. 4. The mode of administration usually secret, but always just. This last point more fully considered. 2. The profane denial that the world is governed by the secret counsel of God, refuted by passages of Scripture. Salutary counsel. 3. This doctrine, as to the secret counsel of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath-Day.
Almighty God will have himself worshipped, not only in a private manner by private persons and families, but also in a more public sort, of all the godly joined together in a visible church; that by this means he may be known not only to be the God and Lord of every Singular person, but also of the creatures of the whole universal world. Question--But why do not we Christians under the New, keep the Sabbath on the same seventh day on which it was kept under the Old Testament? I answer--Because our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety A Prayer when one Begins to be Sick.
O most righteous Judge, yet in Jesus Christ my gracious Father! I, wretched sinner, do here return unto thee, though driven with pain and sickness, like the prodigal child with want and hunger. I acknowledge that this sickness and pain comes not by blind chance or fortune, but by thy divine providence and special appointment. It is the stroke of thy heavy hand, which my sins have justly deserved; and the things that I feared are now fallen upon me (Job iii. 25.) Yet do I well perceive that in wrath …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 20:13 NIV2 Kings 20:13 NLT2 Kings 20:13 ESV2 Kings 20:13 NASB2 Kings 20:13 KJV
2 Kings 20:13 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
