2 Kings 20 19

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?

2 Kings 20:19 nkjv

So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!" For he said, "Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?"

2 Kings 20:19 niv

"The word of the LORD you have spoken is good," Hezekiah replied. For he thought, "Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?"

2 Kings 20:19 esv

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good." For he thought, "Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?"

2 Kings 20:19 nlt

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the LORD is good." For the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime."

2 Kings 20 verses

2 Kings 20 19 Meaning

Hezekiah, the King of Judah, expresses his acceptance and acknowledgment of the divine prophecy delivered by Isaiah. Despite the prophecy foretelling the future exile and plundering of his descendants and national treasures by the Babylonians, Hezekiah pronounces God's word as "good." His subsequent rhetorical question clarifies his immediate relief: "Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?" This indicates that Hezekiah found comfort in the fact that the predicted catastrophic events would not occur during his lifetime, ensuring continued stability, well-being, and faithfulness within the kingdom throughout his remaining reign.

2 Kings 20 19 Context

The events of 2 Kings chapter 20 unfold shortly after King Hezekiah's miraculous recovery from a life-threatening illness. In his recovery, God had supernaturally extended his life by fifteen years and assured him of deliverance from the Assyrians. During this time, Hezekiah received envoys from Merodach-baladan, king of Babylon, likely seeking to form an alliance against Assyria. In an act that commentators debate as either prideful or merely indiscreet, Hezekiah showed the Babylonian delegation all his royal treasures, weapons, and provisions. This display revealed the extent of Judah's wealth and vulnerability to a burgeoning world power. Prophet Isaiah immediately confronts Hezekiah, delivering a stern word from the Lord: "Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon" (2 Kgs 20:17-18). Verse 19 records Hezekiah's personal response to this sobering divine decree, reflecting his immediate perspective on the pronounced judgment.

2 Kings 20 19 Word analysis

• Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah: This phrase indicates a direct and immediate dialogue, emphasizing Hezekiah's response to the direct confrontation and solemn prophecy delivered by the prophet.
• Good (טוֹב - ṭôḇ):
  • In Hebrew, ṭôḇ denotes something suitable, agreeable, pleasant, excellent, or beneficial.
  • Here, Hezekiah calling the word "good" is not necessarily a moral assessment of the outcome for his descendants but rather his acceptance of its truthfulness and his personal relief concerning its timing. It signifies "acceptable" or "it is well."
• is the word (דְּבַר - dᵊvar):
  • Dāḇār means "word," but can also refer to "matter," "thing," or "affair." Here, it specifically points to the divine message or pronouncement that Isaiah has just delivered.
• of the Lord (יְהוָה - Yᵊhôvâ):
  • Signifies that the prophecy's origin is directly from Yahweh, the sovereign God of Israel. This underlines its authority, certainty, and inescapable fulfillment, preventing any dismissal by the king.
• which thou hast spoken: Hezekiah acknowledges Isaiah as the true mouthpiece of God, confirming the authenticity of the prophetic message, despite its harsh content.
• And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?:
  • Is it not good: This rhetorical question further underscores Hezekiah's personal interpretation of the "goodness" of the prophecy. It is an affirmation that from his limited viewpoint, the deferral of calamity is indeed a favorable outcome.
  • peace (שָׁלוֹם - shālōm):
    • More profound than simply the absence of conflict. Shalom encompasses wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare, safety, tranquility, and harmony in every aspect of life – political, social, and personal.
    • Hezekiah desires continued national and personal well-being.
  • and truth (וֶאֱמֶת - wəʾĕmeṯ):
    • Hebrew ʾĕmeṯ signifies faithfulness, reliability, stability, integrity, and adherence to right. It implies a just and ordered state of affairs.
    • Hezekiah desires a period free from deceit, chaos, or instability. It might imply fidelity to covenant and justice within the land.
  • in my days: This crucial phrase limits Hezekiah's concern to his own lifespan. It suggests a focus on immediate personal comfort and kingdom stability during his remaining years, rather than an active intercession or profound concern for the long-term future and suffering of his descendants.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken.": This expression reveals Hezekiah's recognition of divine authority and his submission to God's will. Despite the severity of the prophecy for future generations, he doesn't dispute its origin or truthfulness, marking an acceptance of divine sovereignty over human destiny.
• "And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?": This phrase illuminates Hezekiah's primary perspective on the "goodness" of the prophecy. His relief is contingent upon the judgment not falling within his own lifetime. It reflects a human inclination to prioritize immediate personal or present-day benefits, and suggests a short-sightedness or lack of fervent intercession concerning the ultimate fate of his descendants and the nation. The "peace and truth" he speaks of appear to be primarily temporal, political, and social, signifying stability during his reign.

2 Kings 20 19 Bonus section

The seemingly paradoxical nature of Hezekiah's response—calling a catastrophic prophecy "good"—points to the concept of God's patience and long-suffering even in the face of human failings. While Hezekiah’s actions in showing off his treasures indeed provided a catalyst for the prophecy, his prior record of righteousness and his genuine humility after his heart was lifted up (as mentioned in 2 Chr 32:26) might have influenced God's decision to postpone the judgment. This deferral does not negate the certainty of the judgment but highlights divine prerogative and the potential for a reprieve based on partial repentance or past fidelity. It emphasizes that while individual actions have consequences, God's justice is often tempered with mercy and a willingness to provide temporary comfort, even within the framework of decreed judgment for a future generation. This episode also serves as a stark illustration of how seemingly small human decisions, like showing off treasures, can set in motion far-reaching, generations-spanning divine consequences.

2 Kings 20 19 Commentary

King Hezekiah's response to Isaiah's grave prophecy is a moment often debated in its interpretation. His declaration, "Good is the word of the Lord," on its surface suggests submission to divine will. However, the subsequent rhetorical question, "Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?" reveals a crucial caveat. Hezekiah, despite being a king generally praised for his righteousness, demonstrates a distinctly human, and somewhat self-focused, perspective. He accepts the severity of the judgment for his descendants but seems comforted that it will not transpire under his direct watch, thus preserving the stability and peace of his own reign.

This response can be viewed in several ways. Some commentators see it as an act of profound humility, accepting God's decree without argument, and being grateful for the reprieve granted to his personal generation, considering the gravity of his prior sin in displaying his wealth. Others view it as self-centered, demonstrating a lack of prophetic vision or deep concern for his future lineage and the nation's eventual fate. His preoccupation with "peace and truth in my days" stands in stark contrast to the prophetic burden often carried by righteous leaders who lament future desolation and intercede for their people. Ultimately, it highlights the mercy of God, who, even in judgment, granted Hezekiah a period of rest, while underscoring the limitations of human leaders in grappling with long-term divine decrees. It serves as a reminder that divine consequences, though sometimes delayed, are certain to come to pass, and that God maintains full sovereignty over the timing and execution of His judgments.