2 Chronicles 28: Down Into Idolatry
Ahaz sinks Judah into deep idolatry, even sacrificing his children, and in his distress trespasses still more, shutting up the house of the Lord.
2 Chronicles 28 (WEB)
1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he didn’t do that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, like David his father;
2 but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for the Baals.
3 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom Yahweh cast out before the children of Israel.
4 He sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
5 Therefore Yahweh his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they struck him, and carried away of his a great multitude of captives, and brought them to Damascus. He was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with a great slaughter.
6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed in Judah one hundred twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men; because they had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers.
7 Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king’s son, and Azrikam the ruler of the house, and Elkanah who was next to the king.
8 The children of Israel carried away captive of their brothers two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much plunder from them, and brought the plunder to Samaria.
9 But a prophet of Yahweh was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out to meet the army that came to Samaria, and said to them, “Behold, because Yahweh, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, he has delivered them into your hand, and you have slain them in a rage which has reached up to heaven.
10 Now you purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for male and female slaves for yourselves. Aren’t there even with you trespasses of your own against Yahweh your God?
11 Now hear me therefore, and send back the captives, that you have taken captive from your brothers; for the fierce wrath of Yahweh is on you.”
12 Then some of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against those who came from the war,
13 and said to them, “You shall not bring in the captives here: for you purpose that which will bring on us a trespass against Yahweh, to add to our sins and to our trespass; for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.”
14 So the armed men left the captives and the plunder before the princes and all the assembly.
15 The men who have been mentioned by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the plunder clothed all who were naked among them, dressed them, gave them sandals, and gave them something to eat and to drink, anointed them, carried all the feeble of them on donkeys, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.
16 At that time king Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria to help him.
17 For again the Edomites had come and struck Judah, and carried away captives.
18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the lowland, and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, and Aijalon, and Gederoth, and Soco with its towns, and Timnah with its towns, Gimzo also and its towns: and they lived there.
19 For Yahweh brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he had dealt wantonly in Judah, and trespassed severely against Yahweh.
20 Tilgath Pilneser king of Assyria came to him, and distressed him, but didn’t strengthen him.
21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of Yahweh’s house, and out of the house of the king and of the princes, and gave it to the king of Assyria: but it didn’t help him.
22 In the time of his distress, he trespassed yet more against Yahweh, this same king Ahaz.
23 For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which struck him; and he said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, so I will sacrifice to them, that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.
24 Ahaz gathered together the vessels of God’s house, and cut in pieces the vessels of God’s house, and shut up the doors of Yahweh’s house; and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.
25 In every city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked to anger Yahweh, the God of his fathers.
26 Now the rest of his acts, and all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
27 Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem; for they didn’t bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.
2 Chronicles 28 (KJV)
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:
2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.
3 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.
4 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
5 Wherefore the Lord his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter.
6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers.
7 And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king’s son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king.
8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.
9 But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the Lord God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.
10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the Lord your God?
11 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you.
12 Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war,
13 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.
14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation.
15 And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.
16 At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him.
17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.
18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Beth–shemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.
19 For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the Lord.
20 And Tilgath–pilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.
21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the Lord, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him not.
22 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the Lord: this is that king Ahaz.
23 For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.
24 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.
25 And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the Lord God of his fathers.
26 Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
2 Chronicles 28 (ASV)
1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, like David his father;
2 but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for the Baalim.
3 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out before the children of Israel.
4 And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
5 Wherefore Jehovah his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away of his a great multitude of captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter.
6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men; because they had forsaken Jehovah, the God of their fathers.
7 And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king’s son, and Azrikam the ruler of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king.
8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.
9 But a prophet of Jehovah was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out to meet the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because Jehovah, the God of your fathers, was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage which hath reached up unto heaven.
10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not even with you trespasses of your own against Jehovah your God?
11 Now hear me therefore, and send back the captives, that ye have taken captive of your brethren; for the fierce wrath of Jehovah is upon you.
12 Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war,
13 and said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for ye purpose that which will bring upon us a trespass against Jehovah, to add unto our sins and to our trespass; for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.
14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the assembly.
15 And the men that have been mentioned by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm-trees, unto their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.
16 At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him.
17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.
18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the lowland, and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, and Aijalon, and Gederoth, and Soco with the towns thereof, and Timnah with the towns thereof, Gimzo also and the towns thereof: and they dwelt there.
19 For Jehovah brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he had dealt wantonly in Judah, and trespassed sore against Jehovah.
20 And Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.
21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of Jehovah, and out of the house of the king and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but it helped him not.
22 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against Jehovah, this same king Ahaz.
23 For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him; and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.
24 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 Jehovah; and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.
25 And in every city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger Jehovah, the God of his fathers.
26 Now the rest of his acts, and all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem; for they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
Summary
Ahaz is one of Judah's worst kings, walking in the ways of the northern kings, making molten images for the Baals, and even burning his own children in the fire in the Valley of Hinnom. Because Judah has forsaken Yahweh, God hands Ahaz over to defeat: Syria carries away captives, and Israel slaughters a hundred and twenty thousand in a single day and seizes two hundred thousand of their kin. Yet a prophet named Oded confronts the victorious northern army, warning that their rage has reached heaven and that they too are guilty before God; remarkably, leaders of Ephraim clothe, feed, anoint, and carry the captives home to Jericho. Ahaz, instead of turning to God, appeals to Assyria for help, stripping the temple and palace to pay tribute that brings only distress, not strength. In the time of his trouble he trespasses yet more, sacrificing to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him, reasoning that since they helped Syria they will help him. He cuts up the temple vessels, shuts the doors of the Lord's house, and builds altars on every corner of Jerusalem and high places in every city. He dies unmourned in the royal tombs, a king whose distress drove him further from God rather than back to him.
Main Characters
- Ahaz — King of Judah who plunges into deep idolatry, sacrifices his own children, and in distress trespasses still more, shutting up the temple of the Lord.
- Oded the prophet — A prophet of Yahweh in Samaria who confronts the victorious Israelite army for their excessive rage and warns them of their own guilt before God.
- The leaders of Ephraim — Northern chiefs who heed the prophet, clothe and feed the Judean captives, and carry the feeble home to Jericho, showing surprising mercy.
Key Verse
2 Chronicles 28:22 (WEB)
In the time of his distress, he trespassed yet more against Yahweh, this same king Ahaz.
Lessons Learned
- Idolatry deceives the heart so deeply that people will sacrifice even what is most precious to them.
- Distress is meant to drive us toward God, yet a hardened heart only runs further away.
- God can stir surprising mercy even among enemies, as Oded's word turns captors into caretakers.
- Trusting in human powers or false gods strips us of what we have and never delivers what we need.
- Idolatry is never harmless. Ahaz “burnt his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations” (2 Chronicles 28:3, WEB). False worship always demands a terrible price.
- Trouble reveals the true direction of the heart. “In the time of his distress, he trespassed yet more against Yahweh” (2 Chronicles 28:22, WEB). The same hardship softens one heart and hardens another.
- God can raise up mercy in unexpected places. Heeding Oded, the men “clothed all who were naked… and brought them to Jericho” (2 Chronicles 28:15, WEB). His word turned a triumphant army into rescuers.
- False trust strips and never strengthens. Ahaz robbed the temple to pay Assyria, “but it didn’t help him” (2 Chronicles 28:21, WEB). Anything we trust instead of God will fail us.
- How far does Ahaz's idolatry go, and what does it cost him and his people?
- Why is it so tragic that Ahaz “trespassed yet more” in his time of distress (28:22)?
- What does the response to Oded's prophecy show about how God can work even through enemies?
- Why does turning to Assyria and to the gods of Damascus only make Ahaz's situation worse?
- When trouble comes, what pulls you toward God, and what tempts you to turn further away?
- Ahaz embraces every form of pagan worship, even burning his own children, and his sin brings devastating defeat upon Judah. Idolatry corrupts not only worship but the most basic human bonds. Help the group feel the horror of where sin leads when left unchecked.
- Distress is God's summons to return, yet Ahaz responds by sinning more, sacrificing to the gods that had beaten him. His story shows that hardship alone does not change us; the heart's direction does. This makes the contrast with Manasseh in chapter 33 all the more striking.
- Oded confronts the gloating army, and astonishingly the leaders repent and care for the captives. God's word can pierce even the hearts of enemies and turn cruelty into compassion. It is a small but bright glimpse of mercy in a dark chapter.
- Ahaz looks to human and false-god alliances for rescue, but they only drain his resources and deepen his trouble. Misplaced trust always costs us and never saves us. Invite the group to name the modern “Assyrias” we run to instead of God.
- This is a gentle personal-application question. Encourage members to reflect honestly on how they tend to respond to suffering. As leader, hold out the hope that even our worst seasons can become turning points when we run to God rather than from him.