2 Kings 20:1-21

Hezekiah's Sickness and Recovery

1. In those days] The incidents related in this chapter probably took place before Sennacherib's invasion, for (a) the deliverance from the Assyrians is still future (2 Kings 20:6); (b) Hezekiah is in possession of great treasures (2 Kings 20:13), which could scarcely have been the case after the surrender described in 2 Kings 18:14; (c) Merodach Baladan, king of Babylon, was driven from his throne before Sennacherib attacked Judah. Chronologically, therefore, this chapter should precede 2 Kings 18:7; Thou shalt die] Prophetic predictions were generally conditional and not absolute; a threatened judgment might be averted by repentance and a promised blessing forfeited by misconduct: see Jeremiah 18:7; Jeremiah 26:18; Jeremiah 26:19.