Definition: At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 20:12. It’s a pretty serious message about a dangerous situation! Here's the simple explanation: Basically, Babylon was sending a gift to Hezekiah because he was ill. Let’s unpack that a little further: “At that time”: This tells us this happened at a specific point in the past . “Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon…” – This is a name for a powerful ruler from Babylon. Think of him as a really big, influential leader. “…sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah:” - This means he sent messages to Hezekiah, and he gave him something – likely a gift or reward. “for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.” – This is the key part. Berodachbaladan learned that Hezekiah was unwell. So, what's the big deal? This verse paints a picture of a dangerous situation. Babylon, a powerful and often aggressive nation, was sending a message to Hezekiah, who was likely in distress. It suggests a possible threat or challenge from the kingdom of Babylon. Why is this important? It’s a warning – it indicates that Babylon wasn't just interested in conquering; they were also concerned about a situation within Judah (the region of Israel). It foreshadows conflict and potential hardship for Hezekiah. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context about the story of 2 Kings 20?