MPV Commentary

Ahaz' Wicked Reign over Judah.

1-4. Ahaz did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord. The character of this king's reign and the religious degeneracy of his people are vividly portrayed in the writings of Isaiah, who prophesied during this period. The great wealth and luxury that had grown under Azariah and Jotham's rule introduced corruptions that bore fruit in idolatrous practices throughout the kingdom (see 2Ch 28:24).

3. Ahaz walked in the way of the kings of Israel, patronizing symbolic worship with images at first, but he gradually sank into gross idolatry (2Ch 28:2). He made his son pass through the fire, a form of lustration that involved passing children between hot coals, considered a purification ritual. This practice was strictly forbidden in the law (Lev 18:21; 20:2-5; Deut 18:10), although there is no evidence it was practiced in Israel until Ahaz's time.

5. Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem, but despite their efforts, they failed to take the city and were forced to raise the siege and return home (compare Isa 7:1).

6. Rezin recovered Elath, which Azariah had taken possession of (2Ki 14:22). The Syrians occupied Elath and remained there to this day; some versions read "the Edomites," a preference shared by many commentators and travelers.

7-9. Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser despite Isaiah's assurance that the confederate kings would not prevail against him (Isa 7:14; 8:4). To secure Assyrian aid, Ahaz sent the treasures of the palace and temple. Tiglath-pileser marched against Damascus, killed Rezin, and took the people into captivity to Kir, believed to be the city Karine in Media.

10-16. King Ahaz visited Tiglath-pileser in Damascus, likely out of respect or gratitude. During his stay, he saw an altar that impressed him, and a sketch was sent back to Jerusalem with orders for Urijah the priest to build one like it, replacing the old altar in the temple. Urijah complied, compromising the divine authority behind the original temple designs (Ex 25:40; 26:30; 27:1; 1Ch 28:19).