2 Kings Chapter 20

“And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, etc.] Of the king’s palace, which is called the other court within the porch, (<110708>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.”

“HEZEKIAH'S LIFE LENGTHENED. (Kg2 20:1-7) In those days was Hezekiah sick--As his reign lasted twenty-nine years (Kg2 18:2), and his kingdom was invaded in the fourteenth (Kg2 18:13), it is evident that this sudden and severe illness must have occurred in the very year of the Syrian invasion. Between the threatened attack and the actual appearance of the enemy, this incident in Hezekiah's history must have taken place. But according to the usage of the sacred historian, the story of Sennacherib is completed before entering on what was personal to the king of Judah (see also Isa. 37:36-38:1). Set thine house in…”

“In those days - Hezekiah seems to have died 697 B.C.; and his illness must belong to 713 or 714 B.C. (compare 2 Kings 20:6), a date which falls early in the reign of Sargon. The true chronological place of this narrative is therefore prior to all the other facts related of Hezekiah except his religious reforms. The prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz - This full description of Isaiah (compare 2 Kings 19:2), by the addition of his father’s name and of his office, marks the original independence of this narrative. The writer of Kings may have found it altogether separate from the other records of Hezekiah, and added it…”

“Those days - In the year of the Assyrian invasion. Set, &c. - Make thy will, and settle the affairs of thy family and kingdom. Not live - Such threatenings, though absolutely expressed, have often secret conditions. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 20:2”

“20:1-19 About that time: This general time reference indicates that the order of events is thematic rather than chronological. The episode concerning Merodach-baladan (20:12-19), whom Sennacherib had driven from Babylon before 701 BC, happened earlier than the events of chs 18–19 but after Hezekiah’s illness (20:12). 20:1 Since Isaiah was already active in Hezekiah’s reign before Sennacherib moved to take Jerusalem, he was readily available to the king during that emergency (19:2). • Set your affairs in order: Hezekiah’s illness was terminal.”

“am 3291, bc 713 was Hezekiah: Ch2 32:24-26; Isa. 38:1-20; Joh 11:1-5; Phi 2:27, Phi 2:30 the prophet: Kg2 19:2, Kg2 19:20 Set thine house in order: Heb. Give charge concerning thine house, Sa2 17:23; Isa 38:1 \*marg. thou shalt die: Jer 18:7-10; Jon 3:4-10 4 Kings (2 Kings) 20:2”

“Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery. - Compare the parallel account in Isa 38 with Hezekiah's psalm of thanksgiving for his recovery ( Isa 38:9-20 of Isaiah). Kg2 20:1-2 "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death." By the expression "in those days" the illness of Hezekiah is merely assigned in a general manner to the same time as the events previously described. That it did not occur after the departure of the Assyrians, but at the commencement of the invasion of Sennacherib, i.e., in the fourteenth year of Hezekiah's reign, is evident from Kg2 20:6, namely, both from the fact that in answer to his prayer fifteen…”