SEV Biblia, Chapter 20:12
¶ En aquel tiempo Merodac-baladán hijo de Baladán, rey de Babilonia, envió letras y presentes a Ezequías, porque había oído que Ezequías había caído enfermo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 20:12
Verse 12. At that time Berodach-baladan] He is called Merodach-Baladan, Isa. xxxix. 1, and by the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, and by several of Kennicott's and Deuteronomy Rossi's MSS.; and also by the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds. The true reading seems to be Merodach; the m mem and b beth might be easily interchanged, and so produce the mistake. Sent letters and a present] It appears that there was friendship between the king of Babylon and Hezekiah, when the latter and the Assyrians were engaged in a destructive war. The king of Babylon had not only heard of his sickness, but he had heard of the miracle; as we learn from 2 Chron. xxxii. 31.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12-19 . At that time Berodachbaladan , etc.] He is called Merodachbaladan, ( Isaiah 39:1), so here in the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions; (see Gill on “ Isaiah 39:1”); and by Metasthenes his father is called Merodach, and he Ben Merodach, who reigned twenty one years, and his father fifty two; from hence to the end of ( 2 Kings 20:12-19) the same account is given in the same words as in ( Isaiah 39:1-8) throughout, except in ( 2 Kings 20:13), where it is, “hearkened unto them”, and there, “glad of them”; heard the letter the ambassadors brought with pleasure; see the notes there. (See Gill on “ Isaiah 39:1”) and following.
Ver. 12-19 . At that time Berodachbaladan , etc.] He is called Merodachbaladan, ( Isaiah 39:1), so here in the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions; (see Gill on “ Isaiah 39:1”); and by Metasthenes his father is called Merodach, and he Ben Merodach, who reigned twenty one years, and his father fifty two; from hence to the end of ( 2 Kings 20:12-19) the same account is given in the same words as in ( Isaiah 39:1-8) throughout, except in ( 2 Kings 20:13), where it is, “hearkened unto them”, and there, “glad of them”; heard the letter the ambassadors brought with pleasure; see the notes there. (See Gill on “ Isaiah 39:1”) and following.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-21 - The king of Babylon was at this time independent of the king of Assyria, though shortly after subdued by him. Hezekiah showed his treasures and armour, and other proofs of his wealth and power. Thi was the effect of pride and ostentation, and departing from simpl reliance on God. He also seems to have missed the opportunity of speaking to the Chaldeans, about Him who had wrought the miracles whic excited their attention, and of pointing out to them the absurdity an evil of idolatry. What is more common than to show our friends ou houses and possessions? But if we do this in the pride of ours hearts to gain applause from men, not giving praise to God, it becomes sin in us, as it did in Hezekiah. We may expect vexation from every objec with which we are unduly pleased. Isaiah, who had often been Hezekiah' comforter, is now is reprover. The blessed Spirit is both, Joh 16:7, 8 Ministers must be both, as there is occasion. Hezekiah allowed the justice of the sentence, and God's goodness in the respite. Yet the prospect respecting his family and nation must have given him man painful feelings. Hezekiah was indeed humbled for the pride of his heart. And blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
בעת 6256 ההיא 1931 שׁלח 7971 בראדך בלאדן 1255 בן 1121 בלאדן 1081 מלך 4428 בבל 894 ספרים 5612 ומנחה 4503 אל 413 חזקיהו 2396 כי 3588 שׁמע 8085 כי 3588 חלה 2470 חזקיהו׃ 2396
