Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryIsaiah 39

Merodach-baladan. See on 2 Kings 20:12; see also Vol. II, p. 87. This name is common in the Assyrian inscriptions of Sargon and Sennacherib. Merodach-baladan, originally ruler of Bit—Yakin, a small state north of the Persian Gulf, was king of Babylon from 721 to 709, and again for a short time in 703. At the time of Hezekiah’s illness and the sending of these envoys he was a king in exile. Because of his stalwart resistance against Sennacherib, Merodach-baladan saw in Hezekiah a valuable ally. The envoys ostensibly came to congratulate Hezekiah upon his recovery, but perhaps to secure his assistance in the bitter struggle then going on against Assyria’s attempts to dominate the entire Near East.

Hezekiah was glad. His vanity had been flattered by this unexpected attention from a king of Babylon, and he was happy that others were interested in resisting Assyria. Hezekiah therefore welcomed the Babylonian envoys as allies and friends, little dreaming that in a short time Babylon would take the place of Assyria as the great power of the East and that one of its kings would conquer Judah. Shewed them the house. For comment on Hezekiah’s folly in doing this, see on 2 Kings 20:13.

Then came Isaiah. Compare previous messages by Isaiah against foreign alliances (chs. 8:9–13; 30:1–7; 31:1–5).

What have they seen? See on 2 Kings 20:15. Solomon had foreseen the time when men would come from distant lands to learn of Israel’s God (1 Kings 8:41–43; see also pp. 28, 29). Failure to make use of this opportunity to bear witness to the true God proved Hezekiah ungrateful for the blessing of restored health (Isa. 38:1, 9).

Carried to Babylon. See on 2 Kings 20:17.

Thy sons. See on 2 Kings 20:18.

Good is the word. This attitude reflects a selfish point of view on the part of the king (see on 2 Kings 20:19). Peace and truth. See on 2 Kings 20:19. Hezekiah took comfort in the thought that God would show him the favor of delaying punishment. God often postponed the execution of a sentence when men repented and showed themselves submissive to Him (see 1 Kings 21:28, 29; 2 Kings 22:18–20).