vertue: they are a sit remedy for an hard boil: yet had they here an extraordinary vertue put into them, as the meal, chap. 4. v. 41.
boil] It is probable that this was a plague sore.
V. 8. said] Before he recovered.
What sign] This in faith he asketh to strengthen his faith, as Judg. 6. 17, 37.
V. 9. shall the shadow] This was to be an evidence of the suns sudden being in such a degree of heaven, before the ac∣customed course thereof, or of its sudden starting back so far. And because it was all one with the LORD to do the one or the other, he refers it to Hezekiahs choice, lest he should re∣new his desire, as Gideon did, Judg. 6. 39.
ten degrees] This message might be brought to the king at high noon, when the sun might go forward or backward ten degrees: whence is inferred that the diall here mentioned was divided into twenty four equall parts, each of them being half an hour.
V. 10. It is a light] In mans apprehension, and compara∣tively to going backward: but simply in it self it was a very great matter, extraordinary and miraculous. In regard that both of them were above nature, in the truth of the case, nei∣ther of them was lighter then other. Such an one is noted, Josh. 10. 13.
V. 11. cryed] Earnestly prayed: for warranted means must be used for obtaining things promised, 1 King. 18. 42. Exod. 14. 15.
the shadow] By causing the sun to go so far back, Isai. 38. 8.
by which it had gone down] See on Isai. 38. 8.
diall of Ahaz] Heb. degrees. Ahaz had made a fair, lasting diall, which was common for all of all sorts to look upon: by which diall the course of the sun was openly, and distinctly discerned.
V. 12. Berodach] Called Merodach, Isai. 39. 1. This is supposed to be a name common to the kings of Babylon, as Pharaoh to the kings of Egypt, Jere. 50. 2. Evil-merodach (chap. 25. 27.) had his name thence.
son of Baladan] Supposed to be the first that raised the Baby∣lonian monarchy upon the ruine of the Assyrians.
sent letters] To congratulate Hezekiahs victory and recovery (as 2 Sam. 8. 10. and 10. 2.) and to enquire after that great wonder of the suns going back-ward (2 Chron. 32. 31.)
he had heard] By reason of the great wonder, v. 11.
V. 13. hearkned] To their kinde salutations, and to their questions about the miracle.
shewed them] With a minde too too vainglorious, 2 Chron. 32. 25.
precious] Or, spicery.
armour] Or, jewels. Heb. vessels.
nothing] Rare, and worthy to be shewed to such Ambassa∣dours: and he had many rare and precious things, 2 Chron. 32. 27.
V. 14. What said, &c.] These interrogations are made not so much for information, as for the greater conviction.
V. 15. All, &c.] Though he dealt foolishly, yet he conceal∣eth nothing.
V. 16. Hear, &c.] This preface is to make him heed what he should hear.
V. 17. fathers] Ancestors.
carried] See this accomplished, chap. 24. 13. and 25. 13. Jere. 27. 22.
V. 18. shalt beget] Or immediately (as Manasseh and his brothers (2 Chron. 33. 11.) or successively, as Jehojachin and his brothers, chap. 24. 12.
eunuchs] See the notes on 1 King. 22. 9.
V. 19. Good] Just: no other then what I and my people have deserved. See such an acknowledgement, 1 Sam. 3. 18. Job 1. 21.
Is it not good, if peace and truth, &c.] Or, Shall there not be peace and truth, &c.
Is it not] This interrogation is a confirmation of the point.
if peace] This is added not simply as a reason of the justice of the cause, but as an amplification of mercy mixed with justice.
V. 20. a pool, and a conduit] Hereof see chap. 18. v. 17.
brought water] Both for their own use, and also to withdraw it from the enemy (2 Chro. 32. 3, 4, 30.) which he might well do by bringing it in pipes under ground.
V. 21. slept] See 1 King. 2. 10.