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2 Kings 16

20 verses

TL;DR

Ahaz of Judah reigns in idolatry, faces a siege from Syria and Israel, seeks aid from Assyria, and builds a foreign altar in Jerusalem.

Summary

Ahaz, twenty‑year‑old when he ascended the throne, reigned sixteen years and failed to follow the ways of David, embracing the abominations of the peoples of the north. He allowed his son to pass through the fire and conducted sacrifices in high places, trees, and hills, provoking the king of Syria and the king of Israel to besiege Jerusalem. Unable to capture the city, they withdrew and returned the coastal town of Elath to Syria. Ahaz appealed to Tiglath‑Pileser, king of Assyria, and sent tribute from the temple’s silver and gold. Tiglath‑Pileser defeated Rezin, king of Syria, and captured Damascus, after which Ahaz went to meet him and brought back a bronze altar, which Urijah the priest built. Ahaz installed this altar beside the temple’s original brazen altar and reconfigured the sacrificial rites, removing the laver and altering the Sabbath cover. The chapter ends with a brief note of his burial and the succession of Hezekiah.

Outline
  1. Ahaz’s reign and idolatrous practices
  2. Siege by Syria and Israel, appeal to Assyria
  3. Construction of a foreign altar and temple alterations
Themes
Idolatry and disobedience to GodPolitical dependence on foreign powersCorruption of sacred rituals and worship
Keywords
idolatrysacrificesAssyriaaltarforeign tributeJerusalempolitical alliance
People
AhazRezinPekahTiglath‑PileserUrijah the priestHezekiah
Places
JerusalemDamascusElathSyriaIsraelAssyria
Things
Altar (bronze)LaverSacrificial offeringsSilver and gold tributeSabbath cover
Key Verses
  • 2 Kings 16:3: Shows Ahaz’s direct adoption of idolatrous fire‑sacrifices, setting the tone of the chapter.
  • 2 Kings 16:5: Marks the siege by Syria and Israel, the political crisis prompting Ahaz’s foreign appeal.
  • 2 Kings 16:8: Highlights the transfer of temple wealth to Assyria, illustrating political sacrifice.
  • 2 Kings 16:9: Demonstrates Assyria’s decisive intervention, which saves Jerusalem but at great cost.
  • 2 Kings 16:11: Reveals the construction of a foreign altar in the temple, a key act of syncretism.
Questions
  • What does Ahaz’s choice to adopt foreign religious practices reveal about his character and leadership?
  • How does the political alliance with Assyria influence Judah’s religious identity?
  • In what ways does the construction of a foreign altar alter the meaning of worship for the people of Judah?
  • What can modern readers learn from Ahaz’s failures and the subsequent rise of Hezekiah?
Sentiment

negative
Depicts disobedience, idolatry, and reliance on foreign powers, casting judgment on Ahaz’s reign.