Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 20:14
Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, [even] from Babylon.
14. What said these men? ] Hezekiah does not answer this question. To tell of the proposals which had been made to him by the Babylonians, and of the remarks which had been called forth in praise of all that he had shewn them, would have provoked some reproach from God’s prophet, who was probably averse to any alliance with foreign and idolatrous powers, knowing that in Jehovah there was present help so long as His people trusted in Him only.
even from Babylon ] Except as one of the places whence colonists were brought to occupy Samaria (2Ki 17:24), Babylon has not before come into Jewish history. Soon it begins to figure largely, especially in the writings of the prophets, and at last becomes the victor of Jerusalem, and the scene of the long captivity of the two tribes.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Hezekiah did not answer Isaiahs first question, What said these men? but only his second. Probably he knew that Isaiah would oppose reliance on an arm of flesh.
Babylon now for the first time became revealed to the Jews as an actual power in the world, which might effect them politically. As yet even the prophets had spoken but little of the great southern city; up to this time she had been little more to them than Tyre, or Tarshish, or any other rich and powerful idolatrous city. Henceforth, all this was wholly changed. The prophetic utterance of Isaiah on this occasion 2Ki 20:16-18 never was, never could be, forgotten. He followed it up with a burst of prophecy Isa. 4066, in which Babylon usurps altogether the place of Assyria as Israels enemy, and the captivity being assumed as a matter of certainty, the hopes of the people are directed onward beyond it to the Return. Other prophets took up the strain and repeated it Hab 1:6-11; Hab 2:5-8; Mic 4:10. Babylon thus became henceforth, in lieu of Assyria, the great object of the nations fear and hatred.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
They are come from a far country; a vain-glorious expression, intimating the great honour which he had from all parts, both far and near.
Even from Babylon, that great and potent monarchy; which he speaks to magnify his own honour and happiness.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
[See comments on 2Ki 20:12]
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(14) What said these men?Isaiah, with that fearless assumption of a superior position which we have noticed in Isaiah 7, at once challenges the king to explain his conduct. Jehovahs will is opposed to all coquetting with foreign powers. (Comp. Isa. 30:1.) [Cheyne.]
From a far country.So the Assyrian kings describe Palestine as a far off land, using the same adjective (rqu).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. From a far country This thought seems to have flattered his vanity and pride. He must needs be great who receives ambassadors from such a far country as Babylon.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Reader! observe how men’s punishments rise out of their very sins. Thy backslidings shall correct thee. How little did Hezekiah think that such events should follow. Oh! with what caution ought we to walk through this mutable state of things around us! If the Reader wishes to see the accomplishment of this prophecy of Isaiah, let him turn to the history of the Babylonish captivity about 100 years after. Dan 1:2-3 , etc.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ki 20:14 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, [even] from Babylon.
Ver. 14. What said these men? &c. ] Very wisely doth the prophet fetch about the business, that he may prick the bladder, and let out the pride, that now lay festering in Hezekiah’s heart.
Even from Babylon.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Then came Isaiah. He was to Hezekiah what Nathan was to David (2Sa 12:1).
What said . . . ? Figure of speech Anthropopatheia : for God knew who the men were, and what they had said.
a far country. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, add “unto me”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
came Isaiah: Isa 39:3-8
What said: 2Ki 5:25, 2Ki 5:26, 2Sa 12:7-15, 2Ch 16:7-10, 2Ch 25:7-9, 2Ch 25:15, 2Ch 25:16, Psa 141:5, Pro 25:12, Jer 26:18, Jer 26:19, Amo 7:12, Amo 7:13, Mar 6:18, Mar 6:19
a far country: Deu 28:49, Jos 9:6, Jos 9:9, Isa 13:5
Reciprocal: Num 22:9 – What men 2Ch 28:9 – he went out Eze 23:23 – Babylonians
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 20:14-15. Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country A vain-glorious expression, intimating the great honour which he had from all parts, far and near. Even from Babylon That potent monarchy; which he mentions to magnify his own honour and happiness. What have they seen in thy house? He asks, not because he was ignorant of it, but in order that, from Hezekiahs answer, he might take occasion of delivering Gods message to him.