◄ 2 Kings 20:15 ►
"What have they seen in your palace?" Isaiah asked. "They have seen everything in my palace," answered Hezekiah. "There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them."
Study Bible
What have they seen in your palace?
This question is posed by the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah. The Hebrew word for "palace" is "בֵּית" (bayit), which can mean house or dwelling. In this context, it refers to the royal residence, a place of authority and power. The question implies a probing into Hezekiah's actions and intentions. Historically, this moment follows Hezekiah's recovery from illness and the visit of envoys from Babylon. The inquiry suggests a deeper spiritual examination of Hezekiah's heart and the potential pride in displaying his wealth and resources to foreign powers.

Hezekiah replied, 'They have seen everything in my palace.'
Hezekiah's response indicates a complete transparency, perhaps naively so. The Hebrew word for "everything" is "כֹּל" (kol), meaning all or the entirety. This admission reveals Hezekiah's openness but also his lack of discernment. In a historical context, this act of showing everything to the Babylonians foreshadows future events where Babylon would become a significant threat to Judah. Spiritually, it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of guarding one's heart and treasures.

There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them
The term "treasures" in Hebrew is "אוֹצָר" (otzar), which refers to stored wealth or valuables. Hezekiah's statement underscores the extent of his openness, leaving nothing hidden. This phrase highlights the potential folly in revealing one's strengths and resources to outsiders, especially those who may have ulterior motives. From a scriptural perspective, it serves as a reminder of the need for wisdom and discretion. Theologically, it can be seen as a lesson in stewardship and the responsibility to protect what God has entrusted to us.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hezekiah
The King of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God but also for his human weaknesses. He is the central figure in this passage, having shown all his treasures to the envoys from Babylon.

2. Isaiah
The prophet who questions Hezekiah about his actions. He serves as God's messenger, delivering both warnings and promises.

3. Envoys from Babylon
Representatives sent by the king of Babylon to Hezekiah, ostensibly to congratulate him on his recovery from illness, but also to assess the wealth and strength of Judah.

4. Palace of Hezekiah
The location where Hezekiah displays his wealth, symbolizing his pride and lack of discernment.

5. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, over which Hezekiah reigns. This event foreshadows future consequences for the nation.
Teaching Points
Guard Against Pride
Hezekiah's actions serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and self-exaltation. We must remain humble and give glory to God rather than seeking to impress others with our achievements or possessions.

Discernment in Relationships
Hezekiah's lack of discernment in showing his treasures to the Babylonians reminds us to be wise and discerning in our interactions with others, especially those who may not share our values or intentions.

Consequences of Actions
The passage highlights that our actions have consequences, not only for ourselves but also for those around us and future generations. We should consider the long-term impact of our decisions.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Despite Hezekiah's failure, God's plan for Judah and His people remains sovereign. We can trust that God is in control, even when we make mistakes.
Bible Study Questions
1. What motivated Hezekiah to show all his treasures to the envoys from Babylon, and how can we guard against similar motivations in our own lives?

2. How does Hezekiah's interaction with the Babylonians illustrate the importance of discernment in our relationships and dealings with others?

3. In what ways can pride manifest in our lives today, and what steps can we take to cultivate humility?

4. How do the consequences of Hezekiah's actions serve as a warning for us about the potential impact of our decisions on future generations?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's sovereignty in your life despite your own shortcomings. How can this encourage you to trust Him more fully?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Chronicles 32:31
This passage provides additional context, explaining that God left Hezekiah to test him and to know everything that was in his heart.

Isaiah 39:1-8
A parallel account of the same event, offering further insight into Hezekiah's actions and Isaiah's prophecy of future Babylonian captivity.

Proverbs 16:18
This verse speaks to the theme of pride leading to downfall, which is relevant to Hezekiah's display of his treasures.

Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus' teaching on storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth connects to the idea of where true value lies.
Sermons
An Old-Fashioned HomeJ. Wilbur Chapman2 Kings 20:15
A House and a Soul ComparedJ. R. Starey.2 Kings 20:1-19
Attachment to LifeCharles Lamb.2 Kings 20:1-19
Hezekiah's Prayer AnsweredMonday Club Sermons2 Kings 20:1-19
Set Thy House in Order -- a New Year's SermonE. D. Griffin, D. D.2 Kings 20:1-19
The Blessing of SicknessDavid Thomas, D. D.2 Kings 20:1-19
The House in OrderThomas Spurgeon.2 Kings 20:1-19
DeathD. Thomas 2 Kings 20:1-21
The Babylonian EmbassyJ. Orr 2 Kings 20:12-19
Hezekiah and the AmbassadorsC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 20:12-21
People
Ahaz, Amoz, Baladan, Berodachbaladan, David, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Manasseh
Places
Ararat, Assyria, Babylon
Topics
Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Nothing, Palace, Shewed, Shewn, Showed, Shown, Storehouses, Stores, Treasures, Treasuries
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 20:12-19

     4215   Babylon
     6701   peace, search for

2 Kings 20:13-17

     5476   property

Library
An Old-Fashioned Home
TEXT: "What have they seen in thy house?"--2 Kings 20:15. If you will tell me what is in your own house by your own choice I will tell you the story of your home life and will be able to inform you whether yours is a home in which there is harmony and peace or confusion and despair. Let me read the names of the guests in your guest book, allow me to study the titles of the books in your library in which you have special delight, permit me to scan your magazines which you particularly like, allow …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

God's Sovereignty Defined
"Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as Head above all" (1 Chron. 29:11). The Sovereignty of God is an expression that once was generally understood. It was a phrase commonly used in religious literature. It was a theme frequently expounded in the pulpit. It was a truth which brought comfort to many hearts, and gave virility and stability …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

That for the Most Part the Occupation of Government Dissipates the Solidity of the Mind.
Often the care of government, when undertaken, distracts the heart in divers directions; and one is found unequal to dealing with particular things, while with confused mind divided among many. Whence a certain wise man providently dissuades, saying, My son, meddle not with many matters (Ecclus. xi. 10); because, that is, the mind is by no means collected on the plan of any single work while parted among divers. And, when it is drawn abroad by unwonted care, it is emptied of the solidity of inward …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. Each and all of Its Parts Governed by his Providence.
1. Even the wicked, under the guidance of carnal sense, acknowledge that God is the Creator. The godly acknowledge not this only, but that he is a most wise and powerful governor and preserver of all created objects. In so doing, they lean on the Word of God, some passages from which are produced. 2. Refutation of the Epicureans, who oppose fortune and fortuitous causes to Divine Providence, as taught in Scripture. The sun, a bright manifestation of Divine Providence. 3. Figment of the Sophists as …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Interpretation of Prophecy.
1. The scriptural idea of prophecy is widely removed from that of human foresight and presentiment. It is that of a revelation made by the Holy Spirit respecting the future, always in the interest of God's kingdom. It is no part of the plan of prophecy to gratify vain curiosity respecting "the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1:7. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God"--this is its key-note. In its form it is carefully adapted to this great end. …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Kingdom of Judah.
II K. 18-25; II Chron. 28-36. Note: This period covers the time from the fail of Israel to the fall of Judah. It begins in the sixth year of the reign of Hezekiah, whose name is given as the first king of the period since most of his reign was in this instead of the former period. The Kings of this Period. 13. Hezekiah, 2 K. 18:1-20-21; 2 Chron. 29:1-32:33. Reigned 29 years and died. 14. Manasseh, 2 K. 21:1-18; 2 Chron. 33:1-20. Reigned 55 year and died. 15. Amon, 2 K. 21:19-26; 2 Chron. 33:20-25. …
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

The Christian Struggling under Great and Heavy Affliction.
1. Here it is advised--that afflictions should only be expected.--2. That the righteous hand of God should be acknowledged in them when they come.--3. That they should be borne with patience.--4. That the divine conduct in them should be cordially approved.--5. That thankfulness should be maintained in the midst of trials.--6. That the design of afflictions should be diligently inquired into, and all proper assistance taken in discovering it.--7. That, when it is discovered, it should humbly be complied …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Of the Sacraments.
1. Of the sacraments in general. A sacrament defined. 2. Meaning of the word sacrament. 3. Definition explained. Why God seals his promises to us by sacraments. 4. The word which ought to accompany the element, that the sacrament may be complete. 5. Error of those who attempt to separate the word, or promise of God, from the element. 6. Why sacraments are called Signs of the Covenant. 7. They are such signs, though the wicked should receive them, but are signs of grace only to believers. 8. Objections …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
Sections. 1. Summary of the doctrine of Divine Providence. 1. It embraces the future and the past. 2. It works by means, without means, and against means. 3. Mankind, and particularly the Church, the object of special care. 4. The mode of administration usually secret, but always just. This last point more fully considered. 2. The profane denial that the world is governed by the secret counsel of God, refuted by passages of Scripture. Salutary counsel. 3. This doctrine, as to the secret counsel of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath-Day.
Almighty God will have himself worshipped, not only in a private manner by private persons and families, but also in a more public sort, of all the godly joined together in a visible church; that by this means he may be known not only to be the God and Lord of every Singular person, but also of the creatures of the whole universal world. Question--But why do not we Christians under the New, keep the Sabbath on the same seventh day on which it was kept under the Old Testament? I answer--Because our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

A Prayer when one Begins to be Sick.
O most righteous Judge, yet in Jesus Christ my gracious Father! I, wretched sinner, do here return unto thee, though driven with pain and sickness, like the prodigal child with want and hunger. I acknowledge that this sickness and pain comes not by blind chance or fortune, but by thy divine providence and special appointment. It is the stroke of thy heavy hand, which my sins have justly deserved; and the things that I feared are now fallen upon me (Job iii. 25.) Yet do I well perceive that in wrath …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
2 Kings 20:15 NIV
2 Kings 20:15 NLT
2 Kings 20:15 ESV
2 Kings 20:15 NASB
2 Kings 20:15 KJV

2 Kings 20:15 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Kings 20:14
Top of Page
Top of Page