II Kings 16
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Ahaz begins to reign, acts wickedly, and restores idolatry in Judea, Kg2 16:1-4. Rezin, king of Syria, besieges Jerusalem, but cannot take it; he takes Elath, and drives the Jews thence, Kg2 16:5, Kg2 16:6. Ahaz hires Tiglath-pileser against the king of Syria and the king of Israel, and gives him the silver and gold that were found in the treasures of the house of the Lord, Kg2 16:7, Kg2 16:8. Tiglath-pileser takes Damascus and slays Rezin, Kg2 16:9. Ahaz goes to meet him at Damascus: sees an altar there, a pattern of which he sends to Urijah, the priest; and orders him to make one like it, which he does, Kg2 16:10-15. He makes several alterations in the temple; dies; and Hezekiah his son reigns in his stead, Kg2 16:16-20.
Open source ↗AHAZ' WICKED REIGN OVER JUDAH. (2Ki. 16:1-16) Ahaz . . . did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord--[See on Ch2 28:1.] The character of this king's reign, the voluptuousness and religious degeneracy of all classes of the people, are graphically portrayed in the writings of Isaiah, who prophesied at that period. The great increase of worldly wealth and luxury in the reigns of Azariah and Jotham had introduced a host of corruptions, which, during his reign, and by the influence of Ahaz, bore fruit in the idolatrous practices of every kind which prevailed in all parts of the kingdom (see Ch2 28:24).
Open source ↗In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign. Jotham began to reign in the second of Pekah, and he reigned sixteen years, and therefore his last year would fall in the eighteenth of Pekah; but as his first year might be at the beginning of the second of Pekah, his last was towards the end of the seventeenth of Pekah's, as here; see Kg2 15:32. . 2 Kings 16:2 kg2 16:2 kg2 16:2 kg2 16:2Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem,.... The same number of years his father did: and did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord God, like David his father; his more remote progenitor, nor even like his more immediate father, from whom he received such good instructions, and of whom he had so good an example; but grace is neither propagated by blood, nor obtained through the force of education.
Open source ↗Kg2 16:1-2 On the time mentioned, "in the seventeenth year of Pekah Ahaz became king" see at Kg2 15:32. The datum "twenty years old" is a striking one, even if we compare with it Kg2 18:2. As Ahaz reigned only sixteen years, and at his death his son Hezekiah became king at the age of twenty-five years (Kg2 18:2), Ahaz must have begotten him in the eleventh year of his age. It is true that in southern lands this is neither impossible nor unknown, (Note: In the East they marry girls of nine or ten years of age to boys of twelve or thirteen (Volney, Reise, ii. p. 360). Among the Indians husbands of ten years of age and wives of eight are mentioned (Thevenot, Reisen, iii. pp. 100 and 165). In Abyssinia boys of twelve and even ten years old marry (Rppell, Abessynien, ii. p. 59). Among the Jews in Tiberias, mothers of eleven years of age and fathers of thirteen are not uncommon (Burckh. Syrien, p. 570); and Lynch saw a wife there, who to all appearance was a mere child about ten years of age, who had been married two years already. In the epist. ad N. Carbonelli, from Hieronymi epist. ad Vitalem, 132, and in an ancient glossa, Bochart has also cited examples of one boy of ten years and another of nine, qui nutricem suam gravidavit, together with several other cases of a similar kind from later writers. Cf. Bocharti Opp. i. (Geogr. sacr.) p. 920, ed. Lugd. 1692.) but in the case of the kings of Judah it would be without analogy. The reading found in the lxx, Syr., and Arab. at Ch2 28:1, and also in certain codd., viz., five and twenty instead of twenty, may therefore be a preferable one. According to this, Hezekiah, like Ahaz, was born in his father's sixteenth year. Kg2 16:3-4 "Ahaz walked in the way of the kings of Israel," to which there is added by way of explanation in Ch…
Open source ↗We have here a general character of the reign of Ahaz. Few and evil were his days - few, for he died at thirty-six - evil, for we are here told, 1. That he did not that which was right like David (Kg2 16:2), that is, he had none of that concern and affection for the instituted service and worship of God for which David was celebrated. He had no love for the temple, made no conscience of his duty to God, nor had any regard to his law. Herein he was unlike David; it was his honour that he was of the house and lineage of David, and it was owing to God's ancient covenant with David that he was now upon the throne, which aggravated his wickedness; for he was a reproach to that honourable name and family, which therefore was really a reproach to him (Degeneranti genus opprobrium - A good extraction is a disgrace to him who degenerates from it), and though he enjoyed the benefit of David's piety he did not tread in the steps of it. 2. That he walked in the way of the kings of Israel (Kg2 16:3), who all worshipped the calves. He was not joined in any affinity with them, as Jehoram and Ahaziah were with the house of Ahab, but, ex mero motu - without any instigation, walked in their way. The kings of Israel pleaded policy and reasons of state for their idolatry, but Ahaz had no such pretence: in him it was the most unreasonable impolitic thing that could be. They were his enemies, and had proved enemies to themselves too by their idolatry; yet he walked in their way. 3. That he made his sons to pass through the fire, to the honour of his dunghill-deities. He burnt them, so it is expressly said of him (Ch2 28:3), burnt some of them, and perhaps made others of them (Hezekiah himself not excepted, though afterwards he was never the worse for it) to pass between two fires, or to be d…
Open source ↗16:1-2 The seventeenth year of King Pekah’s reign was 735 BC. At that time Ahaz . . . began to rule: He had already been co-regent for eleven years, but now he officially acceded to the throne. This marks the transition from subordination to his father, Jotham (743–735 BC), to a position of reigning in his stead (735–732 BC). Ahaz presumably had his official accession ceremony following his father’s death in 732 BC, so the author of Kings reckons Ahaz’s reign of sixteen years from 731 BC, the year after his father died, to 715 BC. See also study note on 17:1.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) פֶּקַח (Peqach, H6492) — Pekach, an Israelite king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רְמַלְיָהוּ (Rᵉmalyâhûw, H7425) — Remaljah, an Israelite אָחָז (ʼÂchâz, H271) — Achaz, the name of a Jewish king and of an Israelite יוֹתָם (Yôwthâm, H3147) — Jotham, the name of three Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence…
Open source ↗עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָחָז (ʼÂchâz, H271) — Achaz, the name of a Jewish king and of an Israelite מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) בָּמָה (bâmâh, H1116) — an elevation גִּבְעָה (gibʻâh, H1389) — a hillock רַעֲנָן (raʻănân, H7488) — verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
Open source ↗רְצִין (Rᵉtsîyn, H7526) — Retsin, the name of a Syrian and of an Israelite מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… פֶּקַח (Peqach, H6492) — Pekach, an Israelite king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רְמַלְיָהוּ (Rᵉmalyâhûw, H7425) — Remaljah, an Israelite יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) צוּר (tsûwr, H6696) — to cramp, i.e. confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or… אָחָז (ʼÂchâz, H271) — Achaz, the name of a Jewish king and of an Israelite יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction)
Open source ↗עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. רְצִין (Rᵉtsîyn, H7526) — Retsin, the name of a Syrian and of an Israelite מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אֵילוֹת (ʼÊylôwth, H359) — Eloth or Elath, a place on the Red Sea אֱדֹמִי (ʼĔdômîy, H130) — an Edomite, or descendants from (or inhabitants of) Edom נָשַׁל (nâshal, H5394) — to pluck off, i.e. divest, eject or drop יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) אֲרוֹמִי (ʼĂrôwmîy, H726) — an Edomite (as in the margin) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗אָחָז (ʼÂchâz, H271) — Achaz, the name of a Jewish king and of an Israelite שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) תִּגְלַת פִּלְאֶסֶר (Tiglath Pilʼeçer, H8407) — Tiglath-Pileser or Tilgath-pilneser, an Assyryrian king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of… אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗אָחָז (ʼÂchâz, H271) — Achaz, the name of a Jewish king and of an Israelite לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אוֹצָר (ʼôwtsâr, H214) — a depository מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) שַׁחַד (shachad, H7810) — a donation (venal or redemptive) אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq, H1834) — Damascus, a city of Syria תָּפַשׂ (tâphas, H8610) — to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay;… גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… קִיר (Qîyr, H7024) — Kir, a place in Assyrian; also one in Moab מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill רְצִין (Rᵉtsîyn, H7526) — Retsin, the name of a Syrian and of an Israelite
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָחָז (ʼÂchâz, H271) — Achaz, the name of a Jewish king and of an Israelite יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq, H1834) — Damascus, a city of Syria קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) תִּגְלַת פִּלְאֶסֶר (Tiglath Pilʼeçer, H8407) — Tiglath-Pileser or Tilgath-pilneser, an Assyryrian king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אוּרִיָּה (ʼÛwrîyâh, H223) — Urijah, the name of one Hittite and five Israelites כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… דְּמוּת (dᵉmûwth, H1823) — resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like תַּבְנִית (tabnîyth, H8403) — structure; by implication, a model, resemblance
Open source ↗אוּרִיָּה (ʼÛwrîyâh, H223) — Urijah, the name of one Hittite and five Israelites כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָחָז (ʼÂchâz, H271) — Achaz, the name of a Jewish king and of an Israelite שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq, H1834) — Damascus, a city of Syria עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq, H1834) — Damascus, a city of Syria רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of…
Open source ↗קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… נָסַךְ (nâçak, H5258) — to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint aking נֶסֶךְ (neçek, H5262) — a libation; also a cast idol זָרַק (zâraq, H2236) — to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… שֶׁלֶם (shelem, H8002) — properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) יָרֵךְ (yârêk, H3409) — the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts;…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
And Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David his father. And his son Ahaz reigned in his place.
This is the word of the LORD that came to Micah the Moreshite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—what he saw regarding Samaria and Jerusalem:
Now in the days that Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Rezin king of Aram marched up to wage war against Jerusalem. He was accompanied by Pekah son of Remaliah the king of Israel, but he could not overpower the city.
This is the word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel.