2 Kings 20:13

KJV

And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Hezekiah {H2396} hearkened {H8085} unto them, and shewed {H7200} them all the house {H1004} of his precious things {H5238}, the silver {H3701}, and the gold {H2091}, and the spices {H1314}, and the precious {H2896} ointment {H8081}, and all the house {H1004} of his armour {H3627}, and all that was found {H4672} in his treasures {H214}: there was nothing {H1697} in his house {H1004}, nor in all his dominion {H4475}, that Hezekiah {H2396} shewed {H7200} them not.

Complete Jewish Bible

Hizkiyahu listened to [the messengers] and showed them the building where he kept his treasures, including the silver, gold, spices and precious oils; also the building where he kept his armor; and everything in his treasury - there was nothing in his palace or in his entire domain that Hizkiyahu did not show them.

Berean Standard Bible

And Hezekiah received the envoys and showed them all that was in his treasure house—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, as well as his armory—all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.

American Standard Version

And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and showed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious oil, and the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah showed them not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Kings 20:13, King Hezekiah, having just experienced a miraculous recovery from a fatal illness and a divine sign, receives envoys from Babylon. Instead of attributing his recent deliverance and prosperity to God, Hezekiah succumbs to pride, meticulously displaying the entirety of his kingdom's wealth, military armory, and precious possessions to these foreign dignitaries. This act of self-exaltation and misplaced trust in worldly resources, rather than continued reliance on divine providence, reveals a critical lapse in judgment that immediately draws prophetic judgment concerning the future exile and plunder of Judah by the very nation he sought to impress.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is pivotal, marking a tragic turning point in Hezekiah's otherwise commendable reign. It immediately follows the extraordinary account of his miraculous healing from a terminal illness, where God added fifteen years to his life in response to his fervent prayer ([2 Kings 20:1-7](/2_kings/20-1 "2 Kings 20:1-7 - Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery")). This healing was accompanied by an unprecedented cosmic sign—the shadow on the sundial moving backward ten degrees ([2 Kings 20:8-11](/2_kings/20-8 "2 Kings 20:8-11 - The Sign of the Sundial")). Such profound divine intervention should have solidified Hezekiah's humility and dependence on God. However, the arrival of Babylonian envoys, ostensibly to congratulate him on his recovery, presents a temptation to glory in human strength and worldly possessions. His actions here stand in stark contrast to his earlier posture of desperate prayer and reliance on the Lord during the Assyrian crisis ([2 Kings 19:14-19](/2_kings/19-14 "2 Kings 19:14-19 - Hezekiah's Prayer Against Sennacherib")). This lapse sets the stage for Isaiah's immediate prophecy of future judgment and exile, directly linking Hezekiah's prideful display to the subsequent downfall of Judah ([2 Kings 20:16-18](/2_kings/20-16 "2 Kings 20:16-18 - Isaiah's Prophecy of Exile")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Hezekiah's reign (c. 715-686 BC) was dominated by the formidable power of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which had already conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and threatened Judah. Babylon, at this time, was a rising power, often in revolt against Assyrian dominance. Berodach-baladan (also known as Merodach-Baladan) was a Chaldean prince who twice seized the throne of Babylon from Assyrian control. His sending of envoys to Hezekiah, ostensibly to inquire about his recovery, was likely a diplomatic overture aimed at forming an anti-Assyrian alliance. Judah, strategically located, would have been a valuable ally. In the ancient Near East, a king's wealth and military strength were direct indicators of his power and divine favor. Displaying such treasures to foreign dignitaries was a common practice for impressing allies or intimidating rivals. However, for a king of Judah, whose true strength lay in the Lord, such a display without divine counsel or for the purpose of self-aggrandizement constituted a profound spiritual misstep, valuing human alliances and material might over the covenant faithfulness of God.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several critical themes. First, it highlights the pervasive danger of **pride and vainglory**, even in the lives of otherwise righteous leaders. Hezekiah's comprehensive display of his kingdom's wealth and military resources was an act of self-exaltation, seeking to impress human visitors rather than giving glory to the God who had just miraculously preserved him and his kingdom. Second, it underscores the theme of **misplaced trust**. Instead of demonstrating continued reliance on God's providence, Hezekiah seemingly placed his confidence in his material possessions and the potential for a human alliance, revealing a dangerous shift from divine dependence to worldly security. This stands in stark contrast to his earlier trust in God during the Assyrian siege, where he prayed and received divine deliverance ([2 Kings 19:35-36](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35-36 - The Angel of the Lord Strikes Assyria")). Finally, the narrative emphasizes the **consequences of worldly display and spiritual compromise**. This seemingly innocuous act of showing off leads directly to a severe prophetic judgment from Isaiah, foretelling that the very treasures Hezekiah displayed would eventually be plundered, and his descendants carried into exile in Babylon ([2 Kings 20:17-18](/2_kings/20-17 "2 Kings 20:17-18 - Isaiah's Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hearkened (Hebrew, _shama'_):** While often translated as "heard" or "listened," _shama'_ here carries the stronger connotation of giving heed, being attentive, or even obeying. It suggests Hezekiah was not merely polite but was receptive and responsive to the Babylonian envoys, perhaps to their flattery or their implicit proposals for an alliance against Assyria. His "hearkening" led directly to his subsequent actions, indicating a willingness to be influenced by worldly counsel rather than seeking divine guidance.
* **shewed (Hebrew, _ra'ah'_):** This verb means "to see," but in the Hiphil stem (causative), it means "to cause to see" or "to show." It emphasizes the deliberate and intentional nature of Hezekiah's actions. He actively displayed, revealed, and paraded his possessions, not merely allowing them to be seen but making a concerted effort to exhibit them in their entirety. This intentionality underscores the prideful motivation behind his actions.
* **precious things (Hebrew, _keli chemdah'_):** This phrase literally means "vessels of desire" or "desirable articles." It refers to valuable, highly coveted possessions, encompassing not only wealth in silver and gold but also luxury items like spices and precious ointments. The inclusion of "all" such items, alongside his "armour" and "treasures," highlights the comprehensive nature of Hezekiah's display, showcasing every aspect of his kingdom's material prosperity and military might.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Hezekiah hearkened unto them":** This phrase establishes Hezekiah's receptiveness to the Babylonian envoys. It suggests an openness to their diplomatic overtures, which likely included flattery regarding his recovery and perhaps proposals for an alliance against the common Assyrian enemy. This "hearkening" indicates a shift from his previous posture of sole reliance on God.
* **"and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment":** This details the extensive nature of Hezekiah's display. He opened his royal treasury, revealing not only the standard forms of wealth (silver, gold) but also highly valuable luxury goods (spices, precious ointment), which were often symbols of royal prestige and trade connections. The phrase "all the house of his precious things" emphasizes the completeness of this revelation of his material prosperity.
* **"and [all] the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures":** The addition of his "armour" indicates that Hezekiah also displayed his military capabilities and defensive resources. This, combined with "all that was found in his treasures," signifies a comprehensive revelation of both his economic and military strength. He held nothing back, presenting a full inventory of his kingdom's assets.
* **"there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not":** This emphatic, double-negative statement serves as a literary hyperbole, underscoring the absolute completeness of Hezekiah's disclosure. It highlights the extent of his pride and folly, as he revealed every vulnerability and every resource, leaving nothing concealed from potential adversaries. This total transparency, born of pride, would prove disastrous.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is prominent, as Hezekiah, having just been miraculously saved by God and given an extraordinary sign, immediately turns to human pride and trusts in worldly display rather than continuing in humble dependence. The **hyperbole** or **exaggeration** in the phrase "there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not" powerfully emphasizes the totality of his folly and the extent of his pride. This emphatic statement highlights his complete lack of discernment and his desire to impress. There is also a strong **contrast** drawn between Hezekiah's earlier posture of desperate prayer and humility before God during his illness and the Assyrian threat, and his current display of self-sufficiency and worldly glory. Finally, the narrative uses **foreshadowing**, as this seemingly innocuous act directly precipitates Isaiah's prophecy of future judgment and the Babylonian exile, making Hezekiah's display a direct cause of Judah's eventual downfall.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hezekiah's actions in 2 Kings 20:13 serve as a profound biblical warning against the insidious nature of pride and the temptation to trust in worldly resources rather than the living God. Even after experiencing a miraculous divine intervention, Hezekiah allowed human praise and the allure of worldly power to eclipse his dependence on the Lord. This incident underscores the biblical principle that true security and lasting glory come from God alone, not from accumulated wealth, military might, or strategic human alliances. His failure reminds us that spiritual vigilance is required even in times of prosperity and success, as these can often be more dangerous than times of adversity, leading to self-reliance and forgetfulness of God's grace. The display of his treasures, intended to impress, ultimately revealed a heart that momentarily shifted its trust from the divine to the material, setting in motion a chain of events that would bring about the very judgment he sought to avoid.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [1 John 2:16](/1_john/2-16 "1 John 2:16 - The World's Desires")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's lapse in judgment in displaying his treasures to the Babylonian envoys offers a timeless cautionary tale for believers today. In a world that constantly pressures us to accumulate and display wealth, status, and power, this narrative calls us to a deep introspection about where our true security lies. Are we, like Hezekiah, prone to seeking validation or strength in our material possessions, our achievements, our social standing, or our human connections, even after experiencing God's profound grace and provision? This passage challenges us to examine our hearts for subtle forms of pride and misplaced trust. Every blessing, every talent, every resource we possess is a gift from God, intended to be stewarded for His glory, not for self-aggrandizement or to impress others. True humility involves acknowledging God as the ultimate source of all good and consistently relying on His wisdom and power, rather than our own perceived strength or the fleeting security of worldly alliances. Our ultimate treasure is Christ, and our true security is found in Him alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to display my "treasures" (whether material, intellectual, or relational) for human admiration rather than for God's glory?**
* **How might I be subtly placing my trust in worldly security or human connections, even after experiencing God's faithfulness and provision?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a heart of deeper humility and consistent reliance on God, especially in times of success or prosperity?**
* **How can I better steward the blessings God has given me to point others to Him, rather than to myself?**

### FAQ

**Why did Hezekiah show his treasures to the Babylonians?**

Answer: Hezekiah's primary motivations appear to be a mix of pride, a desire to impress the Babylonian envoys with his kingdom's wealth and military strength, and possibly a strategic attempt to form an alliance against the dominant Assyrian Empire. Having just been miraculously healed and given a sign by God, Hezekiah succumbed to the temptation to glory in his own prosperity rather than giving God the credit. His display was an act of self-exaltation, revealing a misplaced trust in human power and material possessions.

**Was this act truly a sin, or just a mistake in judgment?**

Answer: From a biblical perspective, Hezekiah's act was more than a mere mistake; it constituted a sin rooted in pride and a lack of trust in God. It demonstrated a failure of discernment and stewardship. Instead of acknowledging God as the source of his blessings and recent deliverance, Hezekiah sought to impress foreign dignitaries with his own might. This act revealed a heart that was momentarily swayed by worldly glory, neglecting the divine counsel and the covenant relationship that should have guided his actions. The immediate prophetic judgment from Isaiah confirms that God viewed this as a serious transgression, directly linking it to future divine discipline.

**What were the immediate consequences of Hezekiah's actions?**

Answer: The immediate consequence of Hezekiah's display of his treasures was a direct prophetic confrontation with the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah revealed to Hezekiah that the very treasures he had so proudly displayed would one day be carried off to Babylon, and his own descendants would be taken as eunuchs into the service of the king of Babylon ([2 Kings 20:16-18](/2_kings/20-16 "2 Kings 20:16-18 - Isaiah's Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity")). This prophecy directly linked Hezekiah's act of pride and misplaced trust to the future downfall and exile of Judah, highlighting the severe spiritual implications of his actions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's prideful display of his earthly treasures stands in stark contrast to the perfect humility and divine wisdom of Jesus Christ. While Hezekiah sought to impress with silver, gold, and armaments, Christ, though possessing all the riches of heaven, "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). Hezekiah's failure to trust God fully after a miraculous deliverance highlights humanity's persistent tendency to rely on worldly security. In contrast, Jesus consistently resisted the temptation to grasp for earthly power or glory, as seen in His rejection of Satan's offer of all the kingdoms of the world if He would worship him ([Matthew 4:8-10](/matthew/4-8 "Matthew 4:8-10 - Temptation of Jesus")). Christ’s kingdom is not of this world, and His true "treasures" are not material possessions but the will of His Father and the salvation of humanity ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom is Not of This World")). He is the ultimate example of one who perfectly trusted God, never seeking His own glory but always the glory of the Father, thereby securing for us an eternal inheritance far more precious than any earthly treasure.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 23:5

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Isaiah 39:2

And 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.

2 Chronicles 32:25

But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit [done] unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 32:27

And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;

1 Kings 10:2

And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.

1 Kings 10:25

And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.

1 Kings 10:10

And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.