37:1,2
In response to the news the king tore his clothes and put on sackcloth. This was an idiomatic expression, both verbal and physical, indicating the despair and seriousness with which the king dealt with the news. Verse 3 would also tend to indicate that the king was feeling defeated. However, in his despair he still managed to do a sensible thing, he sent the officials and the priests to Isaiah the prophet. Even in his despair Hezekiah was looking to God. All the prophecies that Isaiah had given in the preceding months and years showed that he had a greater understanding of what was happening than anyone else, and that he was a man of God. When things are really serious it is only a man or a woman of God who can help.
37:3
The message Hezekiah had for Isaiah was not a happy one. He described the day as one of distress, rebuke and disgrace. Hezekiah had made many religious reforms, he had genuinely sought to get Judah back on track with God, hence the statement about coming to the point of birth, but lacking the strength to bring the child forth. Note that he doesn't blame God, which is what many, maybe even you and me, would do. “why hasn’t God delivered me after all I have done?”. Instead he just recognises that this is a disastrous day for the city.
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