Isaiah 37:2

To have comfort of him by the word of God, that his faith might be confirmed and so his prayer be more earnest: teaching hereby that in all dangers these two are the only remedies, to seek unto God and his ministers.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

unto Isaiah--implying the importance of the prophet's position at the time; the chief officers of the court are deputed to wait on him (compare Kg2 22:12-14).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(2) Unto Isaiah the prophet.—At last, then, the people did “see their teacher” (Isa_30:20). In that supreme hour of calamity the prophet, who had been despised and derided, was their one resource. What could he do to extricate them from the evil net which was closing round them, and to vindicate the honour of his God?

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. The embassy consists of the two chief ministers, and the “elders of the priests.” The appearance of Shebna on such an errand was a striking evidence of the completeness of Isaiah’s moral victory (ch. Isa_22:15 ff.).

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe,.... Two of the commissioners sent to Rabshakeh, and who heard his insolence and blasphemy, and were capable of giving a full account of it, to Isaiah the prophet:

and the elders of the priests; as the chief of those that were concerned in civil affairs, so the chief of those that were employed in sacred things, were sent: this was a very honourable embassy; and it was showing great respect to the prophet, to send such personages to him:

covered with sackcloth; as the king himself was, following his example; and this is to be understood not of the elders of the priests only, but of Eliakim and Shebna also. These, so clad, were sent by the king

unto Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz; to give him an account of the present situation of affairs, of the distress he was in, and to desire his prayers: a very proper person to apply to, a prophet, one highly dear to God, and honoured by him, had near access unto him, and knew much of his mind.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

And he sent Eliakim - (See the note at Isa 36:3).

And the elders of the priests - It was a case of deep importance, and one that pertained in a special manner to the interests of religion; and he, therefore, selected the most respectable embassage that he could to present the case to the prophet.

Covered with sackcloth - Religion had been insulted. The God whom the priests served had been blasphemed, and the very temple was threatened, and it was proper that the priests should go with the habiliments of mourning.

Unto Isaiah - It was customary on occasions of danger to consult prophets, as those who had direct communication with God, and seek counsel from them. Thus Balak sent messengers to Balaam to consult him in a time of perplexity (Num 22:5 ff); thus Jehoshaphat and the king of Israel consulted Micaiah in time of danger from Syria 1Ki 22:1-13; thus Ahaziah, when sick, sent to consult Elijah 2Ki 1:1-9; and thus Josiah sent an embassage to Huldah the prophetess to inquire in regard to the book which was found in the temple of the Lord 2Ki 22:14)

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2, 3. He sent Eliakim… Shebna — Two of the previous commissioners, together with the elders of the priests, or heads of Levitical families, unto Isaiah, whose sacred teaching, as a great prophet in Jerusalem, was of vast weight with him. The kind of embassy to Isaiah is proof of this. The proof, too, of the king’s extreme sense of the need of divine help is the strong metaphor which closes his message to the prophet.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He sent Eliakim... and Shebna... and the elders of the priests. A dignified embassy, showing how much Isaiah was held in honour. (2Ki_22:14 and Jer_38:3; and contrast, on the other hand, the rudeness of Ahab in sending a single eunuch to bring Micaiah into his presence, 1Ki_22:9) The prophets, as representatives of Jehovah, were entitled to respect and observance even from kings.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

“And he sent Eliakim who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah, the son of Amoz, the prophet.” While he himself resorted to the temple, he sent to ask the counsel and the intercessions of the Prophet. Eliakim and Shebna are again employed in this case, as being qualified to make an exact report of what had happened, and in order to put honor on the prophet by an embassy of distinguished men. In the place of Joash, he sends the elders of the priests, (i.e., the heads of the sacerdotal families). The king applies to the prophet as the authorized expounder of the will of God. Similar applications are recorded elsewhere with sufficient frequency to show that they were customary and that the prophets were regarded in this light. Thus Josiah sent to Huldah (2Ki 22:14), Zedekiah to Jeremiah (Jer 37:3), etc. The impious Ahab required Micaiah to come to him, and that only at the earnest request of King Jehoshaphat (1Ki 22:9). Of the king’s prompt appeal to God in his extremity, Gill quaintly says: "Hezekiah does not sit down to consider Rabshakeh’s speech, to take it in pieces, and give an answer to it, but he applies unto God."

Joseph Addison Alexander, The Prophecies of Isaiah (1846–1847; New York: Scribner, 1870–1878) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.