Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which you have spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.
good
Leviticus 10:3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
1 Samuel 3:18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
2 Samuel 15:26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
for
2 Chronicles 34:28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.
Zechariah 8:16,19 These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: …
“The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.”
Hezekiah's acceptance of Isaiah's prophecy as "good" is intriguing. It suggests a resignation to God's will, acknowledging the authority and truth of the prophetic word. This phrase can be compared to other biblical figures who accepted God's difficult pronouncements, such as Eli in 1 Samuel 3:18. It also reflects a common biblical theme of submission to God's sovereignty, even when the message is unfavorable.
For he thought,
This internal reflection provides insight into Hezekiah's mindset. It reveals a personal reasoning that contrasts with his outward acceptance. The Bible often records the thoughts of individuals to provide a deeper understanding of their motivations and spiritual state, as seen in passages like Genesis 6:5 and Matthew 9:4.
“At least there will be peace and security in my lifetime.”
Hezekiah's concern for peace and security during his own reign highlights a human tendency to prioritize immediate comfort over long-term consequences. This reflects a short-sightedness that can be seen in other biblical narratives, such as Esau selling his birthright for immediate gratification (Genesis 25:29-34). Theologically, it raises questions about stewardship and responsibility for future generations. The peace Hezekiah refers to is likely the absence of war and political stability, which were significant concerns for a king in the ancient Near East. This phrase also contrasts with the messianic hope of ultimate peace and security found in prophecies like Isaiah 9:6-7, pointing to a future fulfillment in Christ.
• Moments earlier (Isaiah 39:5–7) Isaiah had pronounced God’s judgment: Babylon would carry off Judah’s treasures and Hezekiah’s descendants.
• Hezekiah addresses the prophet directly, mirroring the respectful pattern found in earlier encounters (Isaiah 38:1–8; 2 Kings 20:2–3).
• By speaking to Isaiah rather than arguing with him, the king acknowledges the prophetic office and, by extension, the Lord’s authority (compare 1 Samuel 3:18, where Eli accepts the word of the Lord from Samuel).
• “Good” does not mean pleasant; it means righteous or appropriate. Hezekiah concedes that whatever God decrees is intrinsically just (Psalm 145:17).
• This mirrors his earlier attitude when God extended his life—he recognized that blessing came from God’s hand (Isaiah 38:17). Now he recognizes that discipline also comes from that same just hand (Job 2:10).
• Acceptance without complaint differentiates Hezekiah from kings who resisted prophetic warnings (e.g., Jehoiakim cutting up Jeremiah’s scroll, Jeremiah 36:23).
• Scripture pulls back the curtain on Hezekiah’s inner reasoning, something the parallel account in 2 Kings 20:19 also records.
• The verse exposes a mixed motivation: genuine submission yet tinged with personal relief.
• This candid look at a godly man’s heart reminds us that believers can embrace God’s sovereignty while still wrestling with self-interest (Matthew 26:41).
• “Peace and security” (or “peace and truth,” 2 Kings 20:19) reflects Hezekiah’s relief that calamity will not strike during his reign.
• His outlook contrasts with Moses, who interceded for future generations after the golden calf (Exodus 32:11–13), and with Paul, who bore continual concern for the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28).
• God does not rebuke Hezekiah here, yet the narrative invites readers to sense the short-sightedness of valuing personal comfort over covenant faithfulness for coming generations (Deuteronomy 6:5–7).
• The statement underscores the lingering consequence of pride shown earlier when he displayed his storehouses to Babylonian envoys (Isaiah 39:2; 2 Chronicles 32:31).
Isaiah 39:8 records a king who rightly submits to God’s just verdict yet reveals a heart still learning to look beyond immediate personal blessing. Hezekiah’s words teach that acknowledging God’s sovereignty is essential, but true faith also seeks the welfare of those who will follow us.
(8) Good is the word of the Lord . . .--The words have the appearance of a pious resignation, but we feel that they are less true and noble than those of David on a like occasion: "I have sinned and done wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Let thy hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house" (2Samuel 24:17). Hezekiah's thanksgiving reminds us a little too much of "Apres moi ledeluge."Peace and truth.--The latter word is used in the sense of "stability" (so Psalm 54:5). The two words are used in the same way in Jeremiah 14:13, where we find "assured peace" in the text of the Authorised Version, and "peace of truth" in the margin.
Verse 8. - Good is the word. While there is resignation, there is no doubt something also of selfishness, in Hezekiah's acceptance of the situation. "Apres mot le deluge" is a saying attributed to a modern Frenchman. Hezekiah's egotism is less pronounced and less cynical. He thinks with gratitude of the "peace and steadfastness" which are to be "in his day;" he does not dwell in thought on the coming "deluge." The "word of the Lord" is "good" to him in more ways than one. It has assured him of coming male offspring - of sons to sit upon his throne, and save him from the curse of childlessness. And it has assured him of a rest for his nation - a respite, so that the Babylonian struggle shall not follow immediately upon the Assyrian; but there shall be a "breathing-space" (Ezra 9:8), a tranquil time, during which Israel may "dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places" (Isaiah 32:18).
חִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ (ḥiz·qî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2396: Hezekiah -- 'Yah has strengthened', a king of Judah, also several other Israelites
said
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say
to
אֶֽל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to
Isaiah,
יְשַׁעְיָ֔הוּ (yə·ša‘·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3470: Isaiah -- 'salvation of Yah', four Israelites
“The word
דְּבַר־ (də·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause
of the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
that
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that
you have spoken
דִּבַּ֑רְתָּ (dib·bar·tā)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue
is good.”
ט֥וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good
For he thought,
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say
“At least
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction
there will be
יִהְיֶ֛ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be
peace
שָׁל֥וֹם (šā·lō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace
and security
וֶאֱמֶ֖ת (we·’ĕ·meṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness
in my lifetime.”
בְּיָמָֽי׃ (bə·yā·māy)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3117: A day
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 39:8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah Yahweh's word (Isa Isi Is)