12 At that time Berodach-baladan a son of Baladan , king of Babylon , sent letters and a present to Hezekiah , for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick . 13 Hezekiah listened to them, and showed them all his treasure house , the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious oil and the house of his armor and all that was found in his treasuries . There was nothing e in his house nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them. 14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, "What did these men say , and from where have they come to you?" And Hezekiah said , "They have come from a far country , from Babylon ." 15 He said , "What have they seen in your house ?" So Hezekiah answered , "They have seen all that is in my house ; there is nothing e among my treasuries that I have not shown them." 16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah , "Hear the word of the Lord . 17 'Behold , the days are coming when all that is in your house , and all that your fathers have laid up in store to this day will be carried to Babylon ; nothing e shall be left ,' says the Lord . 18 'Some of your sons who shall issue from you, whom you will beget , will be taken away; and they will become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon .' " 19 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah , "The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good ." For he thought , "Is it not so, if there will be peace and truth in my days ?"
20 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and all his might , and how he made the pool and the conduit and brought water into the city , are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles e of the Kings of Judah ? 21 So Hezekiah slept with his fathers , and Manasseh his son became king in his place .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 20:12-21
Commentary on 2 Kings 20:12-21
(Read 2 Kings 20:12-21)
The king of Babylon was at this time independent of the king of Assyria, though shortly after subdued by him. Hezekiah showed his treasures and armour, and other proofs of his wealth and power. This was the effect of pride and ostentation, and departing from simple reliance on God. He also seems to have missed the opportunity of speaking to the Chaldeans, about Him who had wrought the miracles which excited their attention, and of pointing out to them the absurdity and evil of idolatry. What is more common than to show our friends our houses and possessions? But if we do this in the pride of ours hearts, to gain applause from men, not giving praise to God, it becomes sin in us, as it did in Hezekiah. We may expect vexation from every object with which we are unduly pleased. Isaiah, who had often been Hezekiah's comforter, is now is reprover. The blessed Spirit is both, John 16:7,8. Ministers must be both, as there is occasion. Hezekiah allowed the justice of the sentence, and God's goodness in the respite. Yet the prospect respecting his family and nation must have given him many painful feelings. Hezekiah was indeed humbled for the pride of his heart. And blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.