The events recorded in this chapter happened before those of chapters 36 and 37, for in verse 6 we get the promised deliverance of Jerusalem from Assyria which we have just read about.
The chapter starts with a word from Isaiah to Hezekiah that he was going to die soon. Hezekiah was very ill and this would not exactly be encouraging! Now we know of course that death was not the final outcome of this, so this should teach us something about prophecy. Prophecy is not fatalism, it is a communication from the heart and mind of God to man looking for a response. We are in a relationship with God, if we respond in the right way to a prophecy events can change. Nineveh avoided destruction when they repented. So this incident should teach us to be careful about how we view prophecy.
Hezekiah had made many good changes to Judah and did not want to die. So he pleaded with God for mercy.
At this time Assyria would have looked invincible and invasion of the land would either have already started or would be imminent. Maybe God was seeing if Hezekiah would be glad to be spared living through the defeat. He wanted to live, so God granted him fifteen more years of life, and promised that He would deliver them from the Assyrians.
God also gave a special sign to Hezekiah. Maybe this was to help strengthen him in the coming trials. Hezekiah then sings a song of praise.
Isaiah applies a poultice of figs to the boil. So we see that diving healing and practical medicine can go together. Hezekiah's final words in this chapter are rather strange: the shadow went backwards, what more does he want?
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