2 Kings 20:19

KJV

Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good [is] the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, [Is it] not [good], if peace and truth be in my days?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} Hezekiah {H2396} unto Isaiah {H3470}, Good {H2896} is the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} which thou hast spoken {H1696}. And he said {H559}, Is it not good, if peace {H7965} and truth {H571} be in my days {H3117}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Hizkiyahu said to Yesha'yahu, "The word of ADONAI which you have just told me is good." He thought, "Isn't it, though, if peace and truth continue at least through my lifetime?"

Berean Standard Bible

But Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Will there not at least be peace and security in my lifetime?”

American Standard Version

Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of Jehovah which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, Is it not so, if peace and truth shall be in my days?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Hezekiah's response to Isaiah's prophecy reveals a striking example of short-sighted self-interest. After foolishly displaying his kingdom's treasures to Babylonian envoys, Hezekiah receives a dire word from the LORD through Isaiah: all his wealth and descendants will eventually be carried into Babylonian exile. Instead of expressing remorse or concern for the future of his people, Hezekiah accepts the prophecy as "good," finding solace in the assurance that this judgment will not occur during his lifetime, thereby preserving "peace and truth" for his own days.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a pivotal sequence in Hezekiah's reign, immediately following his miraculous recovery from a terminal illness, during which God extended his life by fifteen years ([2 Kings 20:1-7](/2_kings/20-1 "2 Kings 20:1-7 - Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery")). This divine grace, however, is quickly overshadowed by Hezekiah's subsequent act of pride. When envoys from Babylon visit, ostensibly to congratulate him on his recovery, Hezekiah unwisely displays his entire treasury and armory ([2 Kings 20:12-13](/2_kings/20-12 "2 Kings 20:12-13 - Hezekiah Shows His Treasures")). This ostentatious display, perhaps intended to impress or forge an alliance, is interpreted by Isaiah as a profound misstep, leading to the prophecy of future Babylonian exile and plunder ([2 Kings 20:16-18](/2_kings/20-16 "2 Kings 20:16-18 - Isaiah's Prophecy of Exile")). Hezekiah's response in verse 19, therefore, stands in stark contrast to the divine favor he had just received, highlighting a significant moral and spiritual failing at a critical juncture.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hezekiah reigned as king of Judah during a tumultuous period in the late 8th and early 7th centuries BC. The dominant regional power, Assyria, was beginning to decline, while Babylon was emerging as a formidable force. Judah, a small kingdom, constantly navigated alliances and threats from these empires. Culturally, kings were expected to be wise stewards of their nation, ensuring its long-term prosperity and security. Displaying national treasures to foreign powers, especially those with imperial ambitions, could be seen as an act of either naive trust or a dangerous invitation. Furthermore, the concept of a king's legacy and intergenerational responsibility was deeply ingrained in ancient Near Eastern thought, particularly within the Davidic covenant, which promised an enduring dynasty ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")). Hezekiah's concern for "his days" alone would have been a stark deviation from this expectation of a monarch's long-term vision for his people.
* **Key Themes:** The narrative of Hezekiah's reign, culminating in this verse, powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty and judgment**, demonstrating that God's word, even when foretelling calamity, is certain to come to pass, though His mercy may postpone its immediate execution. Secondly, it highlights the pervasive human tendency towards **short-sighted self-interest and pride**. Despite experiencing God's miraculous intervention, Hezekiah's heart is still prone to vanity and a focus on immediate comfort over the long-term well-being of his kingdom and future generations. This echoes warnings found throughout wisdom literature, such as the dangers of pride in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"). Lastly, the passage touches on the theme of **the nature of "good"**, contrasting Hezekiah's limited, self-serving definition with God's broader, righteous standard. While Hezekiah acknowledges the divine origin of the prophecy, his acceptance of it as "good" is rooted in personal relief rather than a deeper understanding of justice or repentance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good (Hebrew, _ṭôḇ'_):** This word, often translated as "good," carries a broad semantic range, encompassing pleasant, agreeable, beneficial, or morally upright. In Hezekiah's context, his declaration that the word is "good" reveals a subjective and self-serving interpretation. It is "good" for him because it ensures his personal peace and the stability of his reign, not because it aligns with a divine standard of righteousness or demonstrates a concern for his descendants. It signifies an outcome that is agreeable or acceptable to him, rather than inherently virtuous.
* **Peace (Hebrew, _šālôm'_):** More than merely the absence of conflict, _shalom_ denotes wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, security, and harmony. For Hezekiah, it signifies a desire for stability and undisturbed tranquility during his lifetime. His use of _shalom_ here is limited to his personal experience, not extending to the future generations who will face the very opposite of peace—exile and devastation.
* **Truth (Hebrew, _’ĕmeṯ'_):** This word implies firmness, faithfulness, stability, reliability, and certainty. When Hezekiah speaks of "truth," he is likely referring to the reliable and stable conditions of his reign, a state of affairs that he finds desirable and trustworthy. It suggests a desire for a predictable and secure reality, free from the upheaval that the prophecy portends for the future.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good [is] the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken.":** Hezekiah acknowledges the divine origin and authority of Isaiah's prophecy. Despite the dire nature of the message—the future destruction and exile of his kingdom and descendants—Hezekiah pronounces it "good." This initial statement, taken alone, might seem like an act of humble submission to God's will. However, the subsequent clause reveals the self-centered basis for this declaration.
* **"And he said, [Is it] not [good], if peace and truth be in my days?":** This rhetorical question clarifies Hezekiah's definition of "good." His concern is not for the long-term consequences of his actions or the fate of his lineage, but solely for the immediate future of his own reign. The "goodness" of the prophecy lies in the fact that the impending judgment will be postponed, ensuring his personal comfort, stability, and the absence of national upheaval during his lifetime. This reveals a profound lack of intergenerational concern and a prioritization of personal convenience over the welfare of his people.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent **literary devices**. **Irony** is prominent, as Hezekiah declares a prophecy of future destruction to be "good" because it spares him immediate hardship, highlighting the tragic disconnect between his personal comfort and the impending national catastrophe. This is further emphasized by **contrast** between God's boundless mercy in extending Hezekiah's life and Hezekiah's limited, self-serving gratitude. The narrative also uses **foreshadowing**, as Isaiah's prophecy explicitly points to the Babylonian exile, a major turning point in Israelite history that would occur decades later. Hezekiah's response, therefore, serves as a poignant, if unsettling, prelude to that future event.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hezekiah's response in 2 Kings 20:19 serves as a stark theological commentary on the human tendency to prioritize immediate comfort over long-term spiritual and communal well-being. It exposes the dangerous allure of short-sightedness, even in the face of divine revelation. While Hezekiah acknowledges God's word, his application of "good" is rooted in self-preservation rather than a holistic understanding of God's justice or a commitment to intergenerational responsibility. This stands in contrast to the biblical emphasis on foresight, stewardship, and the legacy of faith passed down through generations. God's patience in postponing judgment, though a demonstration of His mercy, is met with a complacent acceptance rather than repentance or a renewed dedication to righteousness.

* [Proverbs 13:22](/proverbs/13-22 "Proverbs 13:22 - A good person leaves an inheritance for their grandchildren")
* [Deuteronomy 4:40](/deuteronomy/4-40 "Deuteronomy 4:40 - Obeying God for long life and prosperity")
* [Psalm 78:1-8](/psalms/78 "Psalm 78:1-8 - Teaching the next generation about God's faithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's complacent acceptance of a deferred judgment challenges believers today to critically examine their own priorities. Are we content if "peace and truth" are only in our own days, or do we labor and pray for the spiritual and physical well-being of future generations? This passage calls us beyond a narrow, self-centered perspective to embrace a broader vision of God's kingdom, which extends far beyond our individual lifespans. It prompts us to consider the long-term impact of our decisions—financially, environmentally, and, most importantly, spiritually—on those who will come after us. True faith seeks not merely personal comfort but the flourishing of God's people and the advancement of His truth for all time. Our response to God's word, whether it brings comfort or conviction, should always lead to deeper repentance and a more selfless commitment to His will, rather than a self-serving calculation of personal benefit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Hezekiah's response challenge my own tendency to prioritize immediate comfort over long-term consequences or the well-being of others?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting a "peace in my days" mentality, neglecting my responsibility to future generations or the broader community of faith?**
* **How can I cultivate a more intergenerational perspective in my prayers, decisions, and stewardship of resources?**
* **When God's word reveals difficult truths or future challenges, do I embrace it with a spirit of repentance and proactive change, or with a self-serving relief that it won't impact me directly?**

### FAQ
**Was Hezekiah a "good" king, despite this seemingly selfish response?**

Answer: Hezekiah is generally regarded as one of Judah's most righteous kings, particularly for his extensive religious reforms, including the destruction of idolatrous altars and the restoration of proper worship in the temple ([2 Kings 18:3-6](/2_kings/18-3 "2 Kings 18:3-6 - Hezekiah's Righteous Reign")). He also demonstrated great faith during the Assyrian invasion ([2 Kings 19](/2_kings/19 "2 Kings 19 - Hezekiah and Sennacherib")). However, this incident in [2 Kings 20:19](/2_kings/20-19 "2 Kings 20:19 - Hezekiah's Response to Isaiah") reveals a significant flaw: a moment of pride and short-sightedness that overshadowed his otherwise commendable reign. The Bible often presents its heroes with both their strengths and weaknesses, offering a realistic portrayal of human fallibility even among the faithful. His response here serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating that even good leaders can succumb to self-interest.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's self-serving concern for "peace and truth" only "in my days" stands in stark contrast to the eternal, all-encompassing peace and truth brought by Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies intergenerational love and sacrifice. While Hezekiah sought to preserve his own temporal comfort, Christ willingly endured suffering and death, not for His own peace, but for the reconciliation and eternal peace of all humanity across all generations ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His wounds we are healed")). Unlike Hezekiah, who was content with a postponed judgment, Jesus absorbed the full weight of God's righteous judgment on the cross, securing genuine and lasting peace for those who believe ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith")). He is the true "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace")), whose reign brings not merely the absence of conflict but ultimate wholeness, truth, and reconciliation with God, extending far beyond any single generation. His kingdom is eternal, and His concern is for the redemption of all who come to Him, offering a spiritual inheritance that transcends earthly treasures or temporary security ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives Peace")).

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

1 Samuel 3:18

And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It [is] the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.

Luke 2:10

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Lamentations 3:39

Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

Job 1:21

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Leviticus 10:3

¶ Then Moses said unto Aaron, This [is it] that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

Esther 9:30

And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, [with] words of peace and truth,

Zechariah 8:19

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth [month], and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.