The words in the translation included within crotchets are supplied from the parallel place, 2 Kings xx. 4, 5, to make the narration more perfect. I have also taken the liberty, with Houbigant, of bringing forward the two last verses of this chapter, and inserting them in their proper places of the narration with the same mark. Kimchi's note on these two verses is as follows: "This and the following verse belong not to the writing of Hezekiah; and I see no reason why they are written here after the writing; for their right place is above, after And I will protect this city, ver. 6. And so they stand in the book of Kings, "2 Kings xx. 7, 8. The narration of this chapter seems to be in some parts an abridgment of that of 2 Kings xx. The abridger, having finished his extract here with the eleventh verse, seems to have observed, that the seventh and eighth verses of 2 Kings xx. were wanted to complete the narration: he therefore added them at the end of the chapter, after he had inserted the song of Hezekiah, probably with marks for their insertion in their proper places; which marks were afterwards neglected by transcribers. Or a transcriber might omit them by mistake, and add them at the end of the chapter with such marks. Many transpositions are, with great probability, to be accounted for in the same way.

Is. 38:1-8 When we pray in our sickness, though God send not to us suc an answer as he here sent to Hezekiah, yet, if by his Spirit he bids u be of good cheer, assures us that our sins are forgiven, and that whether we live or die, we shall be his, we do not pray in vain. See I Kin. 20:1-11.

Is. 38:9-22 We have here Hezekiah's thanksgiving. It is well for us to remember the mercies we receive in sickness. Hezekiah records the condition he was in. He dwells upon this; I shall no more see the Lord A good man wishes not to live for any other end than that he may serv God, and have communion with him. Our present residence is like that of a shepherd in his hut, a poor, mean, and cold lodging, and with a trus committed to our charge, as the shepherd has. Our days are compared to the weaver's shuttle, Job 7:6, passing and repassing very swiftly every throw leaving a thread behind it; and when finished, the piece i cut off, taken out of the loom, and showed to our Master to be judge of. A good man, when his life is cut off, his cares and fatigues ar cut off with it, and he rests from his labours. But our times are i God's hand; he has appointed what shall be the length of the piece When sick, we are very apt to calculate our time, but are still a uncertainty. It should be more our care how we shall get safe to another world. And the more we taste of the loving-kindness of God, the more will our hearts love him, and live to him. It was in love to ou poor perishing souls that Christ delivered them. The pardon does no make the sin not to have been sin, but not to be punished as it deserves. It is pleasant to think of our recoveries from sickness, when we see them flowing from the pardon of sin. Hezekiah's opportunity to glorify God in this world, he made the business, and pleasure, and en of life. Being recovered, he resolves to abound in praising and servin God. God's promises are not to do away, but to quicken and encourag the use of means. Life and health are given that we may glorify God an do good __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew