Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign in Jerusalem. He reigned for sixteen years, but unlike his father David, he did not live with integrity before the Lord.

In Ahaz's time, he walked in the footsteps of the kings of Israel and made molten images for Baalim. He also burned incense in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, offering his own children as sacrifices in the fire – a detestable practice that mimicked the wicked ways of the nations God had driven out before the Israelites. Ahaz's idolatry was widespread; he sacrificed and burned incense on high places, hills, and under every green tree.

The Lord turned against Ahaz, handing him over to the king of Syria, who defeated him and took away many captives to Damascus. Later, Ahaz was also handed over to the king of Israel, who inflicted a crushing blow upon him.

In Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah committed atrocities, slaughtering 120,000 brave men in one day because they had forsaken the Lord God of their ancestors. Zichri, a powerful warrior from Ephraim, killed Maaseiah, the king's own son, along with Azrikam, the head of the royal household, and Elkanah, who held a high position near the king.

The Israelites took captive 200,000 of their own brethren – including women and children – as well as much spoil from them. They brought these captives to Samaria.

A prophet of the Lord named Oded confronted the army that had arrived in Samaria, saying, "Since the Lord God of your ancestors was angry with Judah, he handed them over to you. You have killed them with such fury and passion that it reaches up to heaven." The prophet then warned them not to enslave the captives from Judah, pointing out their own sins against the Lord.

Certain leaders from the family of Ephraim – including Azariah son of Johanan, Berechiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai – stood up against those who had come from war. They refused to bring in the captives, saying, "We have already sinned against the Lord. If we add to our guilt by holding these people captive, God's anger will only grow stronger."

The armed men released the captives and their spoils before the leaders and the entire assembly. Those who had been mentioned by name rose up, taking care of those in need: they clothed the naked, provided food and drink for them, anointed their bodies, put the weak on donkeys, and brought them to Jericho, a city famous for its palm trees, where they were reunited with their brothers.

During this time, King Ahaz sent messengers to the kings of Assyria for help. The Edomites had invaded Judah once more, taking captives from the land. Additionally, the Philistines attacked and conquered several cities in the low country and southern regions of Judah, including Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Socoh with its villages, Timnah with its villages, Gimzo with its villages, and they settled there.

The Lord brought Judah to a low point because Ahaz had made it vulnerable. He stripped Judah bare and committed grave offenses against the Lord.

In his time of need, King Ahaz turned even further away from the Lord. Despite being troubled by Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, who did not provide him with any assistance, Ahaz continued to make choices that displeased God.

Ahaz sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, the city that had defeated him. He claimed that these gods helped the Syrian kings, so he offered sacrifices to them as well. Ahaz took sacred objects from the Lord's house and from the palace, giving them to the king of Assyria in exchange for military aid, but it was not forthcoming.

In his distress, Ahaz broke even more taboos, gathering vessels from the temple, cutting them up, shutting the doors of the Lord's house, and setting up altars throughout Jerusalem. He also built high places for burning incense to other gods all over Judah, provoking the wrath of the Lord God of his ancestors.

The rest of Ahaz's life and actions are recorded in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

Ahaz eventually passed away and was buried in Jerusalem, but he was not laid to rest among the tombs of Israel's kings. Instead, his son Hezekiah succeeded him as king.