Messengers from Babylon Visit Hezekiah

20:12 At that time Merodach-Baladan16 son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, for he had heard that Hezekiah was ill. 20:13 Hezekiah welcomed17 them and showed them his whole storehouse, with its silver, gold, spices, and high quality olive oil, as well as his armory and everything in his treasuries. Hezekiah showed them everything in his palace and in his whole kingdom.18 20:14 Isaiah the prophet visited King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did these men say? Where do they come from?” Hezekiah replied, “They come from the distant land of Babylon.” 20:15 Isaiah19 asked, “What have they seen in your palace?” Hezekiah replied, “They have seen everything in my palace. I showed them everything20 in my treasuries.” 20:16 Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to the word of the Lord, 20:17 ‘Look, a time is21 coming when everything in your palace and the things your ancestors have accumulated to this day will be carried away to Babylon; nothing will be left,’ says the Lord. 20:18 ‘Some of your very own descendants whom you father22 will be taken away and will be made eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ” 20:19 Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The Lord’s word which you have announced is appropriate.”23 Then he added,24 “At least there will be peace and stability during my lifetime.”25

20:20 The rest of the events of Hezekiah’s reign and all his accomplishments, including how he built a pool and conduit to bring26 water into the city, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Judah.27 20:21 Hezekiah passed away28 and his son Manasseh replaced him as king.