Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 20:4
And it came to pass, before Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
4. into the middle court ] R.V. middle part of the city. The variation is due to a difference of reading, the R.V. translating, as is nearly always the case, the Kethib. The LXX. and most of the versions render the Keri, which the A.V. follows. The Kethib has , the Keri substitutes , which latter is the word for the ‘court’ of the palace in the description of Solomon’s buildings (1Ki 7:8). But the city of Jerusalem was built on two hills, the western of which was more than a hundred feet higher than the eastern. The expression in the text would apply exactly to the portion lying between these two, and there seems to be no reason for accepting the Keri. It probably has sprung from a desire to represent God as hearing prayer so readily that a favourable answer was given before the prophet was beyond the precincts of the palace.
A description of the city will be found in Josephus, B. J. v. 4, 1, seqq. where the three parts of Jerusalem are noticed, the upper city ( ) being Zion, the lower ( ) Akra. Isaiah had, according to the Kethib, gone into the portion between these two.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The middle court – i. e., of the royal palace. This is preferable to the marginal reading.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 4. Into the middle court] hatstser, the court. This is the reading of the Masoretic Keri: haair, “of the city,” is the reading of the text, and of most MSS.; but the versions follow the Keri.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Into the middle court, to wit, of the kings palace; of which See Poole “1Ki 7:8“. Or, into the middle city, as it is in the Hebrew. For some observe that there were three cities, or three parts of this city; one called the city of David in Zion; another called Jebus, or Salem; and a third, which was betwixt these two parts, and united them all into one city, called Jerusalem. This is noted to show Gods great readiness to hear the sincere and fervent prayers of his children.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. afore Isaiah was gone out intothe middle courtof the royal castle.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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, 1Ki 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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(4) Into the middle court.This is the reading of some Heb. MSS., and of all the versions. The Hebrew text (city; see margin) is wrong. Before Isaiah had left the precincts of the palace, he was bidden to return. (Keil says that here, as in 2Ki. 10:25, the word rendered city denotes castle, i.e., the royal residence.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. The middle court So the Keri and the ancient versions; but the Kethib seems to be the more ancient reading, the middle of the city, that is, the central part of Jerusalem. So this word of the Lord came to him soon after he had left the king’s presence.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
How delightful are those gracious answers of a most gracious God! not that there was any change in the divine mind, but that the Lord, having in his providence induced a state which, under grace, shall lead his people to pray, he prepares their minds by this for his fore-determined answers of mercy. And observe how the Lord exceeds in gift what Hezekiah asked in prayer. He desired but to be remembered. And the Lord not only spares him from the effect of this sickness, but adds fifteen years to his life. Hence I have often thought that the apostle Paul intended to encourage wrestling petitioners at a throne of grace to ask for somewhat more than the promise seems to hold forth, as if a believer could never get to the bottom of the promise, when he said, Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. Phi 3:20 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ki 20:4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
Ver. 4. Before Isaiah was gone out into the middle court. ] So the Chetib. Or, Into the middle of the city; so the Cheri, or margin, hath it. It is probable that the king’s court was like a city. The Turk’s seraglio or palace is in circuit more than two miles. Before Isaiah was gone out into the court within the porch, 1Ki 7:8 he was sent again with this countermand. Oh, the power of prayer!
“ Flectitur iratus voce rogante Deus. ”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
came. The only occurrence of this in the case of Isaiah. Compare Gen 15:1.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
court: or, city, 2Ki 22:14, 1Ki 7:8
Reciprocal: 2Ch 32:24 – gave him a sign Psa 107:20 – He sent Jer 28:12 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 20:4-5. Afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court Namely, of the kings palace. This is mentioned to show Gods great readiness to hear the prayers of his children. Thus saith the God of thy father David
I am mindful of my promise made to David and his house, and will make it good in thy person. I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears Prayer addressed to God with fervency and affection, is in a special manner pleasing to him; and when offered in faith, and for things which he, in his word, hath encouraged or authorized us to ask, shall be heard and answered. I will heal thee Diseases are Gods servants; as they go where he sends them, so they come when he remands them, Mat 8:8-9. On the third day thou shalt go up to the house of the Lord To give him solemn praise for his mercy. That he was able to go up so soon as the third day, showed the cure to be miraculous.