Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 2. And Hezekias was glad of them, and showed them the house of his treasures, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his kingdom, that Hezekias showed them not.

Vers. 2. And Hezekias was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his treasures, the siluer, and the gold, and the spices, and the pretious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his kinkdome, that Hezekias shewed them not.

The Prophet plays the historiographer. For first he tells plainly what Hezekias §1did: next, he will show why he did it; to wit, §2because ambition had blinded his eyes: and thus he meant to make himself great in the sight of the Ambassadors. Thus he taxeth this inordinate joy, from whence proceeded so great care at length to feast and welcome them. He that shall read the history barely, will think there is no great fault to be found in Hezekiah for any thing he did. Was it not humanity in him to receive such Ambassadors with gladness and magnificence, and to show them all signs of love? Who can deny it? Nay, he had showed himself more then barbarous, if he had rejected those who in such kind manner came to visit him; or, if he had set light by the friendship of so mighty a §1King. Notwithstanding all this, his heart was too far tickled with vanity and ostentation. For he meant to show his greatness, to the end the Babylonian might know that this amity should serve him to good purpose; which he further insinuated by showing his riches, munitions, and furniture for war. He was also blameworthy, §2for desiring to be supported by strange and unlawful means: for therein he bereaved God of his honour, who had freely delivered him out of two great dangers: otherwise, the Prophet would never have reproved him so sharply for this fact.