MPV Commentary

Hezekiah asked Isaiah, "What sign will prove that the Lord will heal me?" The king was so surprised by his recovery that he wanted some assurance from God to confirm the prophet's message. Hezekiah requested a specific sign, which was granted to him.

The shadow of the sun went back on the dial of Ahaz ten degrees, as it had previously moved down. Various theories have been proposed about this dial, but it is more likely that it was a specialized instrument, possibly one of the foreign novelties brought from Babylon by Ahaz. This device was large enough and prominently placed in the court for Isaiah to point it out to Hezekiah from his chamber. The sun's shadow moving backward on the dial was a miraculous event accomplished through God's power, but it was temporary and limited to the king's notice.

Berodach-baladan, the first king of Babylon mentioned in Scripture, had thrown off Assyrian rule and established an independent kingdom. He sent a congratulatory message to Hezekiah, likely accompanied by proposals for a defensive alliance against their common enemy, the Assyrians. The king of Judah was flattered by this honor and showed the ambassadors his treasures, armory, and war stores in order to win their favor.

Hezekiah had paid significant tribute to Sennacherib, which left him with little wealth. However, after the destruction of the Assyrian army, he received gifts from various quarters out of respect for his faith and bravery. It is also possible that he recovered some of the gold and silver he had previously paid as tribute from the corpses in the Assyrian camp. Despite this, Hezekiah's display of wealth was seen as a provocation to God, who sent Isaiah to rebuke him.

Hezekiah responded to the prophet with an answer that revealed his pride and arrogance, having been flattered by the visit from the Babylonian ambassadors. However, his response was misguided, as it presented a temptation for these foreign powers to return and plunder Judah's wealth, transferring its possessions to Babylon and its people into servitude.

Hezekiah replied to Isaiah with a humble and pious resignation to God's will, expressing gratitude that the execution of divine judgment would be suspended during his lifetime. He also acknowledged that great afflictions would still come upon his descendants.

The pool and conduit built by Hezekiah were notable features of Jerusalem (see 2 Chronicles 32:30).