Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 39

Verse 1

At that time: i.e. shortly after the two miracles of the shadow and Hezekiah's recovery from his sickness. Compare 2 Chronicles 32:31 .

letters and a present. These were more potent than Sennacherib's hosts; just as Ahab's daughter and feast were than his men of war with Jehoshaphat. See 2 Chronicles 18:1-3 . Compare with 2 Chronicles 17:1-3 .

Verse 2

glad of them. This is further Divine information, given by Him Who knew Hezekiah's heart. 2 Kings 20:13 records what Hezekiah did: viz. "hearkened unto them". Man could see the ear, but only Jehovah could know the heart. Hezekiah forgot to pray, as in Isaiah 37:4 , Isaiah 37:14 , Isaiah 37:15 , and Isaiah 38:2 . Hence his failure.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton , to emphasise and call attention (by five "ands") to every detail.

his. Note the Figure of speech Repetitio to mark Hezekiah's ostentation and failure in not giving Jehovah all the glory.

precious things. Hezekiah's possession of these riches, after the depletion of his treasuries in 2 Kings 18:15 , 2 Kings 18:16 , is explained and accounted for by a reference to 2 Chronicles 32:22 , 2 Chronicles 32:23 , 2 Chronicles 32:27 , and to the spoil of the Assyrians' camp (2 Kings 19:35 ).

treasures = treasuries.

nothing. Emphasising the completeness of his act.

Verse 4

he: i.e. Isaiah.

Verse 5

the LORD of Hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .

Verse 7

thy sons. Hezekiah had none as yet, and Jehovah's promise to David (2 Samuel 7:16 ) seemed in danger of failing. Manasseh was not born till the third of the fifteen added years. Hence his reference to this position in the "Songs of the Degrees". See Psalms 127:3-5 ; Psalms 127:3-5 and Psalms 128:0 (quoting in Isaiah 39:5-6 the words in Isaiah 39:8 ). Hezekiah did not marry till after this, and there may be a reference to his marriage to Hephzi-bah in Isaiah 62:4 , which serves as the basis of the comparison in his prophecy concerning the future blessing of Israel.

eunuchs. See Daniel 1:3 , Daniel 1:4 .

Verse 8

Good. Hezekiah's submission was like Eli's. Compare 1 Samuel 3:18 . 2 Kings 20:19 . Job 1:21 ; Job 2:10 , &c.

For = Nevertheless. The Hebrew distinctive accent meyrka thus marks it. This chapter commences a new Prophecy (see App-82 ), and follows that in Isa 34:1-35 .Isaiah 34:10; Isaiah 34:10