2 Kings 20:4

4 But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from the LORD :

2 Kings 20:4 Meaning and Commentary

And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court,.... Of the king's palace, which is called the other court within the porch, 1 Kings 7:8 so it is according to the marginal reading, which we follow; but the textual reading is, "the middle city"; Jerusalem was divided into three parts, and this was the middle part Isaiah was entering into: but before he did, so it was,

[that] the word of the Lord came to him, saying; as follows.

2 Kings 20:4 In-Context

2 When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

3 “Remember, O LORD, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly.

4 But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from the LORD :

5 “Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of my people. Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the LORD .

6 I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own honor and for the sake of my servant David.’”

Footnotes

• [a]. As in Greek version and an alternate reading in the Masoretic Text; the other alternate reads the middle of the city.