Isaiah 39:1 At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness and recovery.
When news spread about Hezekiah's recovery and the sun standing still, the Babylonian king seized the opportunity to send an envoy bearing gifts. We also learn....
2 Chronicles 32: 31 But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart.
the Babylonians worshipped the sun, so celebrating this miracle seemed natural. The king's gesture may have appeared innocent, but he likely hoped to woo Hezekiah into forming a military alliance with him against Assyria.
Isaiah 39: 2 Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses—the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine olive oil—his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.
Attention from the more powerful nation puffed Hezekiah's pride. He responded by showcasing all his wealth and weaponry. He, too, feared the Assyrians and hoped that a military alliance could provide protection for Judah. The storehouse tour was meant to astound the envoy so the men would take a glowing report back to Babylon. In reality, it gave the enemy a firsthand look at future plunder.
Isaiah 39:3 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked, “What did those men say, and where did they come from?”
Isaiah showed up unannounced after the envoy left town. He asked questions designed to help the king recognize and confess pride and wrongdoing in trusting man rather than God for protection. Hezekiah was slow to recognize his sin but quick to boast about his popularity: "They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon"
Isaiah 39: 5-7 5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord Almighty: 6 The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. 7 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
Isaiah was not impressed. He declared that Hezekiah's wealth and then his sons would be carried away to Babylon.
2 Chronicles 32:24-26 24 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the Lord, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. 25 But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the Lord’s wrath did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah.
The former prophecy was fulfilled more than 100 years later during Nebuchadnezzar's reign. (2 Kings 24:10-13; 2 Kings 25:11-17) The latter was fulfilled when Daniel was taken to Babylon. (Daniel 1:1-4)
Isaiah 39: 8 “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.”
Theologians interpret Hezekiah's response in two ways: He repents of his pride and acknowledges God's mercy for postponing the consequences, or he repents with self-centered relief that punishment won't happen in his lifetime.