Hezekiah Shows His Treasures
(2 Kings 20:12–19)

1At that time Merodach-baladan (Marduk has given a son) son of Baladan (Bel is his lord) king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength), for he had heard about Hezekiah’s illness and recovery. 2And Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) welcomed the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his treasure house—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, as well as his entire armory—all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.

3Then the prophet Isaiah (YHWH has saved) went to King Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) and asked, “Where did those men come from, and what did they say to you?”

“They came to me from a distant land,” Hezekiah replied, “from Babylon (confusion by mixing).”

4“What have they seen in your palace?” Isaiah asked.

“They have seen everything in my palace,” answered Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength). “There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.”

5Then Isaiah (YHWH has saved) said to Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength), “Hear the word of the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts: 6The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon (confusion by mixing). Nothing will be left, says the LORD {YHWH}. 7And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing).”

8But Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) said to Isaiah (YHWH has saved), “The word of the LORD {YHWH} that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “At least there will be peace and security in my lifetime.”