MPV Commentary

1-4. Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to rule Judah (see 2 Kings 16:1-4). Unfortunately, this young prince rejected the principles and example of his father, Hezekiah, who had been a godly king. Instead, Ahaz showed a strong bias towards idolatry from an early age. He ruled with absolute authority, not as a servant of God, but as a self-appointed ruler. He abandoned the temple in Jerusalem and adopted the idolatrous practices of the neighboring kingdoms.

5-7. The Lord delivered Ahaz into the hands of the king of Syria, who defeated him in battle (2 Kings 15:37). Ahaz was also handed over to the king of Israel, who inflicted further losses on his army. Although the text does not provide a detailed account of these battles, it is clear that Judah suffered significant defeats at this time.

7. Among those killed were several high-ranking officials, including Maaseiah, the son of Ahaz; Azrikam, the governor of the palace; and Elkanah, who served as the king's advisor (Genesis 41:40; Esther 10:3). These men were all slain by Zichri, an Israelite warrior. A large number of Judahites were taken captive and divided between the Syrian and Israeli armies.

8-14. The children of Israel took two hundred thousand of their brethren captive during this campaign (2 Kings 15:29). This included many women, boys, and girls who had accompanied the Judahite army into battle. When news of these captives reached Samaria, it sparked outrage among the better-disposed inhabitants. A prophet named Oded, along with several princes, went out to meet the escort carrying the prisoners. They argued that the Israelites had not won this victory through their own strength, but rather because God had judged Judah for its sins (Leviticus 25:43-44; Micah 2:8-9). Oded protested against keeping their brethren as slaves and pointed out the enormity of this offense.

15. A group of men who were leaders among the children of Ephraim rose up to intervene on behalf of the captives (2 Kings 15:29). They took charge of the prisoners, provided them with food and clothing, and escorted them as far as Jericho before releasing them back into their own homes.

16. During this time of crisis, King Ahaz sent a delegation to the kings of Assyria for help (2 Kings 16:7-8). Although he was delivered from immediate danger, other enemies continued to threaten Judah's borders on both the south and west.

17. The Edomites had invaded Judah again and inflicted further losses (2 Chronicles 15:11; 2 Kings 16:6).

18. The Philistines had also attacked Judah, targeting the towns of Gederoth, Shocho, and Gimzo (Joshua 15:41; 1 Samuel 17:1). These disasters were a direct result of Ahaz's wicked actions against God.

20. Despite receiving temporary relief from the Assyrian king Tilgath-pilneser, who had conquered Damascus and killed Rezin (2 Kings 16:9), Judah ultimately suffered greater calamities under his rule.