Isaiah 39

King James Version

Full text for Isaiah Chapter 39

1¶ At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

2And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

3Then 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 unto me, [even] from Babylon.

4Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that [is] in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

5¶ Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:

6Behold, the days come, that all that [is] in thine house, and [that] which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

7And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

8Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good [is] the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King Hezekiah received envoys from Merodachbaladan, king of Babylon, who sent gifts after hearing of his recovery. Hezekiah, in turn, proudly displayed all his royal treasures and dominion to them. Prophet Isaiah then confronted Hezekiah, delivering a divine message that all his wealth and even some of his descendants would eventually be carried away to Babylon, serving in the Babylonian king's palace. Hezekiah accepted this prophecy, finding solace that it would not occur during his own reign.

Medium Summary

Following his recovery from illness, King Hezekiah of Judah received a delegation from Merodachbaladan, King of Babylon, bearing letters and gifts. Hezekiah, in a display of his kingdom's prosperity, showed the Babylonian envoys every item in his treasury, including silver, gold, spices, precious ointments, and his armor, withholding nothing. Subsequently, the prophet Isaiah approached Hezekiah, inquiring about the visitors and what they had seen. Hezekiah candidly admitted to having revealed all his possessions to the Babylonians. Isaiah then delivered a solemn prophecy from the LORD of hosts, declaring that a future time would come when all the treasures of Hezekiah's house, accumulated over generations, would be plundered and carried to Babylon. Furthermore, some of Hezekiah's own sons would be taken and made eunuchs in the Babylonian king's palace. Hezekiah responded by accepting the LORD's word as good, finding comfort in the assurance that peace and truth would endure during his own reign.

Long Summary

The chapter opens with Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sending letters and a present to King Hezekiah of Judah. This diplomatic gesture was prompted by news of Hezekiah's recent illness and subsequent recovery. Hezekiah, pleased by the Babylonian overture, proceeded to display the full extent of his royal wealth and dominion to the visiting envoys. He meticulously showed them his house of precious things, which included silver, gold, spices, and precious ointment, as well as his house of armor and all other treasures found within his domain, leaving nothing unrevealed. Later, the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah, questioning him about the identity of these men and their origin. Hezekiah confirmed they were from a distant land, specifically Babylon. Isaiah then pressed further, asking what they had observed in Hezekiah's house, to which the king admitted that they had seen everything, every treasure he possessed. Following this disclosure, Isaiah delivered a direct message from the LORD of hosts to Hezekiah. The prophecy foretold that a future time would inevitably come when all the treasures within Hezekiah's house, along with all that his fathers had accumulated until that day, would be carried away to Babylon, with nothing remaining. Moreover, the prophecy extended to Hezekiah's own lineage, stating that some of his sons, those who would issue from him, would be taken and made eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. Hezekiah's response to this dire prophecy was one of acceptance, acknowledging that "Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken." He found a measure of peace in the understanding that "there shall be peace and truth in my days," indicating that the fulfillment of this judgment would not occur during his lifetime.

Core Concepts

  • Babylonian EmbassyMerodachbaladan, King of Babylon, sent envoys and gifts to Hezekiah, ostensibly to congratulate him on his recovery. This diplomatic mission served as a prelude to future Babylonian influence.
  • Hezekiah's Display of WealthKing Hezekiah, in a moment of pride or perhaps a desire to impress, revealed all his kingdom's treasures and military might to the Babylonian visitors. This act of showing off his possessions is central to the chapter's narrative.
  • Isaiah's ConfrontationThe prophet Isaiah directly questioned Hezekiah about the Babylonian visitors and what he had shown them, setting the stage for the divine judgment. Isaiah acted as the LORD's messenger, holding the king accountable.
  • Prophecy of Exile and PlunderIsaiah delivered a prophecy from the LORD, declaring that all of Hezekiah's treasures and those of his ancestors would be carried away to Babylon. This foretold the future Babylonian captivity of Judah.
  • Prophecy of Royal Descendants' ServitudeThe prophecy also included a specific detail that some of Hezekiah's own sons would be taken to Babylon and made eunuchs in the king's palace. This indicated a complete subjugation of the royal line.
  • Hezekiah's Acceptance and Immediate PeaceDespite the severity of the prophecy, Hezekiah accepted the LORD's word, finding comfort that the judgment would not be fulfilled during his own lifetime, ensuring peace and truth in his days.