Ahaz II Chronicles 28

II Chronicles 28:1 "Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he DID NOT that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father; v2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim."

Ahaz reigned between the times of two good kings. His father Jotham did pretty well but was hampered by the legacy of his father who was a bad king. Following Ahaz is Hezekiah who is a very good king of Judah.

Ahaz reigned sixteen years and crammed a lot of wrong doing into those sixteen years. He immediately turned to worshipping idols. He dishonored the house of the LORD and even went so far as to burn his children.

v3 "Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel."

He further brought back the high places and spread them as far as he could.

v4 "He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree."

It is as if he was daring God to do something about it. He was delivered into the hands of the Syrians and others went about Judah slaying the people. Even Israel carried people away to make them servants or slaves. A group of the leaders of Israel arose to stop this though. They said we have sinned enough without this.

v13 "And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither; for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass; for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel."

The people held captive were freed. They were given clothing, food and drink and returned as far as Jericho.

Ahaz tried to buy some help but after taking his the money he stole from the house of the LORD they did not help him. v21

Ahaz did not repent and was buried in Jerusalem instead of with the kings.

v24 "And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem."

I know that must have been a terrible sixteen years for Judah but they survived and a new king, actually the son of Ahaz, came to power and tried his best to turn the people back to God. We should note that his mother was not mentioned.

Psalm 4:3 "But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call unto him."

Ahaz, a bad king who turned to idols.

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