Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

THE expositors think that this Merodach was the first King of the Chaldeans, because his father Baladan held the superiority among the Babylonians, without having the title of King. After this Merodach then had reigned 12. years, he subdued the Assyrians, and made them tributaries under the Chaldeans. For those are deceived who think that the wars were begun by Nebuchadnezzar: It may well be that he made an end of them, and wholly subdued the Assyrians, whose power was then like enough half spent, there remained nothing for him then but to confirm the kingdom in his own hands which was conquered by the power of his predecessor. Now howsoever the Prophet in few words tells how the Ambassadors were sent; yet we must observe that Merodach did this guilefully to guggle Hezekias with his flatteries. He threatened the Assyrians already whom he knew the Jews hated for good cause because of their continual wars: that he might get him a companion then, and a fellow helper in his intended wars, he insinuates himself cunningly into the amity of this good King: whose heart, as you see, was forthwith surprised with pride, in that he was too forward in accepting the fraudulent flatteries of this Tyrant, and suffered himself to be poisoned therewith.

THE expositors thinke that this Merodach was the first King of the Chaldeans, because his father Baladan held the superioritie amōg the Babilonians, without hauing the title of King. After this Merodach then had reigned 12. yeeres, he subdued the Assyrians, and made them tributaries vnder the Caldeans. For those are deceiued who thinke that the warres were begun by Nebuchadnezar: It may well be that he made an end of them, and whollie subdued the Assyrians, whose power was then like enough halfe spent, there remained nothing for him then but to confirme ye kingdome in his owne hands which was cōquered by ye power of his predecessor. Now howsoeuer ye Prophet in few words telles how the Ambassadors were sent; yet we must obserue that Merodach did this guilefullie to guggle Hezekias with his flatteries. He threatned the Assyrians alreadie whom he knew the Iewes hated for good cause because of their continuall warres: that he might get him a companion then, and a fellow helper in his intended warres, hee insinuates himselfe cunningly into the amitie of this good King: whose heart, as you see, was forthwith surprised with pride, in that hee was too forward in accepting the fradulent flatteries of this Tyrant, and suffered himselfe to be poisoned therewith.