◄ 2 Kings 20:4 ►
Before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
Study Bible
Before Isaiah had left
This phrase sets the scene for a divine intervention that occurs with remarkable immediacy. The Hebrew root for "left" is "yatsa," which means to go out or depart. This suggests that Isaiah was in the process of leaving, indicating the urgency and immediacy of God's communication. The context here is crucial; Isaiah had just delivered a message of impending death to King Hezekiah. The quick turnaround highlights God's responsiveness to sincere prayer and repentance, as Hezekiah had just prayed earnestly for healing.

the middle courtyard
The "middle courtyard" refers to a specific area within the palace complex, likely a place of transition between the inner sanctum and the outer areas. In ancient Near Eastern architecture, courtyards were central to the design of palaces and temples, serving as places of gathering and communication. The mention of the "middle courtyard" underscores the public nature of Isaiah's movements and the accessibility of God's message. It also reflects the structured order of the king's palace, symbolizing the structured order of God's kingdom.

the word of the LORD
This phrase is pivotal, as it signifies divine revelation. In Hebrew, "word" is "dabar," which conveys not just spoken words but also the power and authority behind them. The "word of the LORD" is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, representing God's will and purpose. It is living and active, capable of changing circumstances and destinies. This underscores the belief in the authority and infallibility of Scripture, as God's word is seen as the ultimate truth and guide for life.

came to him, saying
The phrase "came to him" indicates a direct and personal communication from God to Isaiah. The Hebrew verb "bo" (came) suggests movement and arrival, emphasizing that God's message is intentional and directed. The addition of "saying" introduces the content of the message, preparing the reader for the divine instruction that follows. This highlights the role of prophets as intermediaries who receive and convey God's messages to His people. It also reflects the personal nature of God's relationship with His servants, as He speaks to them directly and clearly.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is known for his prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and the future of Israel. In this context, he is delivering a message from God to King Hezekiah.

2. Hezekiah
The king of Judah at the time, Hezekiah is known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to rid Judah of idolatry. He is the recipient of God's message through Isaiah.

3. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who communicates His will and intentions through His prophets.

4. Middle Courtyard
Part of the royal palace complex in Jerusalem, indicating the setting where Isaiah receives the word of the LORD.

5. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, where the events of this chapter take place, serving as the political and spiritual center of the nation.
Teaching Points
The Power of Prayer
Hezekiah's situation demonstrates the importance of turning to God in times of distress. His earnest prayer leads to a direct response from God, highlighting the effectiveness of sincere prayer.

God's Sovereignty and Timing
The immediacy of God's response to Isaiah, even before he leaves the courtyard, underscores God's control over time and events. It reminds believers that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it.

The Role of Prophets
Isaiah's role as a messenger of God illustrates the importance of listening to and heeding God's word. Prophets in the Bible serve as conduits for divine communication, guiding and correcting God's people.

Faithfulness in Leadership
Hezekiah's life is a testament to the impact of godly leadership. His faithfulness to God brings about divine intervention and blessing, encouraging leaders today to prioritize their relationship with God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Hezekiah's response to his illness challenge or inspire your own approach to prayer in difficult times?

2. In what ways does the immediacy of God's response to Isaiah encourage you to trust in God's timing in your life?

3. How can the role of prophets in the Old Testament inform our understanding of how God communicates with us today?

4. What lessons can we learn from Hezekiah's leadership that can be applied to our own roles of influence, whether in family, work, or community?

5. How does the connection between 2 Kings 20 and James 5:16 deepen your understanding of the power and purpose of prayer?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 19
This chapter provides context for Hezekiah's relationship with God, showcasing his prayerful dependence on the LORD during the Assyrian threat.

Isaiah 38
This parallel account in the book of Isaiah provides additional details about Hezekiah's illness and God's response to his prayer.

James 5:16
This New Testament verse emphasizes the power of prayer, which is exemplified by Hezekiah's earnest prayer and God's immediate response.
Sermons
Hezekiah's SicknessC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 20:1-11
Hezekiah's SicknessJ. Orr 2 Kings 20:1-11
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
People
Ahaz, Amoz, Baladan, Berodachbaladan, David, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Manasseh
Places
Ararat, Assyria, Babylon
Topics
Afore, Court, Inner, Isaiah, Middle, Pass, Saying, Town
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 20:4

     1428   prophecy, OT inspiration
     1690   word of God

2 Kings 20:1-6

     8614   prayer, answers

2 Kings 20:1-7

     4440   fig-tree
     5298   doctors

2 Kings 20:1-11

     5333   healing
     8610   prayer, asking God

2 Kings 20:4-6

     1429   prophecy, OT fulfilment

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

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