Isaiah 39:1-6

1 At that time Merodakh-Bal'odan the son of Bal'adan, king of Bavel, sent letters and a present to Hizkiyahu; for he heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

2 Hizkiyahu was glad of them, and shown them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious oil, and all the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hizkiyahu didn't show them.

3 Then came Yesha`yahu the prophet to king Hizkiyahu, and said to him, What said these men? and from whence came they to you? Hizkiyahu said, They are come from a far country to me, even from Bavel.

4 Then said he, What have they seen in your house? Hizkiyahu answered, All that is in my house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.

5 Then said Yesha`yahu to Hizkiyahu, Hear the word of the LORD of Hosts:

6 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Bavel: nothing shall be left, says the LORD.

Isaiah 39:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 39

This chapter gives an account of Hezekiah's fall into sin after his recovery, and the correction he had for it. The king of Babylon sent messengers to him to congratulate him upon his recovery, Isa 39:1. Hezekiah received them with great joy, and in the pride of his heart showed them all his treasures, Isa 39:2. Isaiah the prophet examined him about it, which he readily owned, Isa 39:3,4 upon which the Babylonish captivity is foretold, when all his riches and his children too should be carried into that land, Isa 39:5-7, to which sentence he quietly and patiently submitted, Isa 39:8.