Eternal One: Go and tell Hezekiah that the Eternal, the God of your ancestor David, says: “I have heard your prayer, and I have seen your tears. I’ve decided to add another 15 years to your life.

When Hezekiah, king of Judah, recovered from his illness, he composed a poem.

Hezekiah: I thought for sure in the prime of my life that I’d been brought to the gates of death, that I’d miss out on the rest of my years.

And so I join the living in giving thanks to You. After all, thankful voices never rise from the land of the dead. After all, the songs of praise never soar from death’s dark realm. Those who go down into the pit—that great black nothingness— They can’t even begin to hope for Your faithfulness.

Isaiah instructed the physicians to apply a compress of squashed figs to the boil on Hezekiah’s skin to help him recover.

Hezekiah: When will I know that I am well enough to go to the Eternal’s house? Is there a sign I should look for?

The man who was king of Babylon, Merodach-baladan (Baladan’s son), heard about Hezekiah—how he was so very sick and then got better. So he sent envoys to Hezekiah with letters and a gift.

Hezekiah was delighted at the kind gesture from so great a king, so he welcomed his guests and showed them the best of Judah’s treasures and talents—silver and gold, precious spices, and oils that wafted the smells of paradise. He gave them a tour of his armory and showed them all of Judah’s military equipment and everything they’d stashed away for future need. Hezekiah held nothing back from their appreciative eyes. He showed them everything in his house and his kingdom.

When Isaiah the prophet heard about Hezekiah’s tour, he hurried to the palace and confronted Hezekiah. Isaiah: What in the world have you done? Where did these people come from? And what did you talk with them about? Hezekiah (puzzled by Isaiah’s obvious distress): They came from a great distance simply to extend kind wishes for my recovery from their king! They came from Babylon.

Isaiah: What did you show them? What have they seen in your palace? Hezekiah: Well, everything. They have seen all that I own. I put all of my treasures on display. I didn’t hold back anything from them.

Hezekiah: The message you have spoken from the Eternal is good. “At least,” Hezekiah thought to himself, “during my lifetime things will be peaceful and secure.”