Isaiah 39:1

¶ At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

At that time {H6256} Merodachbaladan {H4757}, the son {H1121} of Baladan {H1081}, king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, sent {H7971} letters {H5612} and a present {H4503} to Hezekiah {H2396}: for he had heard {H8085} that he had been sick {H2470}, and was recovered {H2388}.

M'rodakh-Bal'adan the son of Bal'adan, king of Bavel, heard that Hizkiyahu had been ill and had recovered, so he sent a letter and a gift to him.

At that time Merodach-baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, for he had heard about Hezekiah’s illness and recovery.

At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah; for he heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

Commentary

Isaiah 39:1 marks a pivotal moment in King Hezekiah’s reign, immediately following his miraculous recovery from a life-threatening illness. This verse introduces a seemingly innocuous diplomatic visit that sets the stage for a significant prophetic encounter and reveals a critical flaw in Hezekiah's character.

Context

This chapter directly follows the events of Hezekiah's severe sickness and miraculous healing, which included the extraordinary sign of the sundial where the shadow went backward ten degrees (Isaiah 38:8). News of this recovery, and perhaps the accompanying divine sign, reached distant lands. Merodachbaladan, the king of Babylon, used this as a pretext to send envoys with letters and a present. While appearing as a gesture of goodwill or congratulation, ancient Near Eastern diplomacy often involved such exchanges to gauge potential allies or gather intelligence, especially against a common enemy like the dominant Assyrian Empire at the time. A parallel account is found in 2 Kings 20:12-19.

Key Themes

  • Diplomatic Overture: Merodachbaladan's visit was likely a strategic move by Babylon to forge an alliance with Judah against Assyria, which was a dominant power threatening both kingdoms. Hezekiah, recovering and perhaps feeling vulnerable, might have seen this as an opportunity.
  • The Test of Prosperity: After receiving such a profound divine intervention, Hezekiah faced a test. The visit from a powerful foreign king, ostensibly to congratulate him, could easily inflate his pride. This moment highlights the dangers of human vanity, especially after experiencing God's blessings.
  • Setting the Stage for Prophecy: This seemingly benign visit becomes the catalyst for the events described in the subsequent verses, where Hezekiah unwisely displays all his treasures to the Babylonian envoys. This act of pride leads to Isaiah's sobering prophecy of future Babylonian exile, where these very treasures and Hezekiah's descendants would be carried away to Babylon.

Practical Application

Isaiah 39:1 serves as a powerful reminder that even after experiencing profound divine favor and healing, human beings remain susceptible to temptation, particularly pride. Hezekiah's initial response to God's grace was gratitude (Isaiah 38:19), but the flattery of worldly leaders quickly exposed a weakness. For believers today, this verse encourages us to:

  • Guard Against Pride: Be cautious when receiving praise or attention, especially after God has worked powerfully in our lives. Our accomplishments and blessings should always point back to God's glory, not our own.
  • Discern Motives: Be discerning about the intentions of others, particularly those who offer flattery or seemingly innocent gestures, as they may have ulterior motives.
  • Maintain Stewardship: Recognize that all we have is from God. Our resources, talents, and possessions are gifts to be stewarded wisely for His purposes, not for self-glorification or displays of earthly power.
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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 20:12

    ¶ At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.

  • 2 Kings 20:19

    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?

  • Isaiah 39:1

    ¶ At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

  • Isaiah 39:8

    Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good [is] the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.

  • 2 Chronicles 32:23

    And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.

  • 2 Samuel 10:2

    Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.

  • Isaiah 23:13

    Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, [till] the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; [and] he brought it to ruin.