Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Kings 20:1

IN those days ▪ was Hezekiah sick unto death: and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order : for thou shalt die, and not live .

i. e. In that Year of the Assyrian Invasion, as is manifest from hence, that that was in Hezekiah's 14th Year, chap. 18. 13. and God now added 15 Years more to him, chap. 20. 6. and yet Hezekiah Reigned onely 29 Years in all, chap. 18. 2. And this happened, Either, First, After the destruction of Sennacherib's Army. Or, Secondly, Before it, as may be thought from v. 6. where he speaks of his deliverance from the King of Assyria, as a future thing. It is true, that when Hezekiah received that insolent Message from the Assyrian, he was in health, and went into the Temple to pray, ch. 19. 14. but there might be time more than enough for this sickness and recovery, between that threatning, and this destruction of the Assyrian.

Take care to make thy Will, and to settle the Affairs of thy Family and Kingdom: which he the rather presseth upon him, because the state of his Kingdom required it: for it is plain, that Hezekiah had not as yet any Son, Manasseh his Heir and Successor not being born till three Years after this time, by comparing this chap. 20. 6. with chap. 21. 1.

According to the course of Nature, and of thy Disease, which is mortal in its kind, and will be so in effect, if God doth not miraculously prevent it. Such threatnings, though absolutely expressed, have oft times secret conditions, which God reserves in his own Breast. See Ionah 3. 4.

Marginal references: 2 Ch▪ 32. 24. Isa. 3[illegible: 1+ letters]. 1.; Heb. Give charge concerning thine house.