Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 20

Hezekiah proudly shows his great wealth

2 Kings 20:13

Hezekiah’s illness happened 15 years before his death (20:6). He ruled for 29 years (18:2), so his illness was in the 14th year of his rule. That was the same year in which Assyria’s army attacked Judah (18:13). Hezekiah had to hand over his gold and silver to them (18:14-16).

However, when the officials came from Babylon, Hezekiah had already become a very rich king again. This was probably still during the years when Judah’s farmers were unable to sow grain after the war (19:29). So, clearly God provided for Hezekiah in an extraordinary manner.

We ask where this new wealth came from. 2 Chronicles 32:23 gives one answer: many people brought valuable gifts to him at this time. One reason for the visit by Babylon’s officials was to bring such a gift from their own king (20:12).

Another explanation may be the sudden manner in which Assyria’s army escaped from Judah (19:35-36). Many or most of their soldiers had died. Their king was afraid and he went back to Assyria in a state of shame (2 Chronicles 32:21). It seems likely that Assyria’s soldiers left most of their possessions at the camp because of that sudden escape. So, Hezekiah may have been able to take back the gold and silver that he had lost.

2 Chronicles 32:27-29 describes how rich Hezekiah was. He proudly showed his great wealth to his important visitors from Babylon. Perhaps he considered himself like Solomon when he (Hezekiah) did this (1 Kings 10:1-13). However, Hezekiah was acting foolishly. He was not giving honour to God, who had been so kind and generous to him. Rather, Hezekiah had become proud of his own greatness and his own wealth. He did not even realise that, by his actions, he was putting that wealth in danger. He was showing his wealth to people who would become Judah’s enemies. It would not be many years until Babylon’s army came to attack Judah and Jerusalem.

Next part: Isaiah's bold questions to Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:14-15)

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