2 Kings 16

In 735 BC, during the seventeenth year of King Pekah's reign, Ahaz began to rule. He had been co-ruler for eleven years, but now he officially became king. This marked his transition from being under his father Jotham, who ruled from 743 to 735 BC, to ruling in his place from 735 to 732 BC. Ahaz likely had his official accession ceremony after his father's death in 732 BC. The author of Kings counts Ahaz's reign as lasting sixteen years, from 731 BC (the year after his father died) to 715 BC. See also study note on 2 Kings 17:1.

• David was Ahaz's ancestor. He is the benchmark for judging the spiritual character of Judah's kings (2 Kings 14:3; 1 Kings 15:3, 11).

• he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel: Ahaz was one of Judah's most wicked kings. He adopted Israel's false religion and the pagan practices of other nations, even sacrificing his own son in fire (see Jeremiah 19:5; 32:35). Levitical laws forbade such sacrifices as detestable to the Lord (Leviticus 18:10; 20:1–5), yet God's people continued the practice (Isaiah 30:33; Jeremiah 7:31) until Josiah's reforms (2 Kings 23:10).

Rezin … Pekah: This alliance between the kings of Aram and Israel was made to resist Assyrian control under Tiglath-pileser III (2 Kings 15:29–30; Isaiah 9:1). They attacked Judah to force it into the alliance or to replace its king with someone they preferred (Isaiah 7:3–6). This led to captivity and many deaths in Judah (2 Chronicles 28:5–15). Isaiah notes that Rezin and Pekah wanted to put a new king on Judah’s throne (Isaiah 7:3–6). Judah also faced attacks from the Edomites and Philistines (2 Chronicles 28:17–18). These events were seen as God's response to Ahaz’s terrible spiritual practices, which caused great sin in Judah (2 Chronicles 28:5, 19).

The Berean Standard Bible uses Aram because that is the word found in the standard Hebrew text of the Old Testament (the Masoretic Text). Some other translations, like the New Living Translation, follow ancient versions such as the Greek Septuagint or the Latin Vulgate, which have Edom. Since Elath was located in the south near Edom, many scholars think Edom makes better sense in this passage. But the Berean Standard Bible stays close to the Hebrew wording, which says Aram.

Instead of trusting in God's help (Isaiah 7:7–16), Ahaz asked Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria to save him from his enemies. Tiglath-pileser succeeded, leading to Rezin's death, the capture of Damascus, and the deportation of its people in 732 BC. This also helped remove Pekah as king of Israel that same year (2 Kings 15:29–30). However, the rescue was costly; Ahaz paid a large tribute, and Assyria's involvement made Judah a vassal state (a state under the control of another).

The location of Kir is unknown; it was the original home of the Arameans (Amos 9:7).

Ahaz noticed the altar of the Arameans and had a copy made to imitate their religious practices.

The king started using the new altar by making traditional offerings on it (see Leviticus 1–3; Numbers 15:1–10; 28:9–15, 24, 31; 2 Kings 6:8–23; 7:11–20). Unfortunately, these offerings on a non-religious altar by a leader lacking spiritual integrity made a mockery of their true spiritual significance.

Solomon originally placed the bronze altar in front of the temple (see Exodus 40:6; 2 Chronicles 4:1; 7:7–10). At first, Ahaz positioned his new altar so worshipers would reach it before the bronze altar. Then Ahaz moved the bronze altar to the north side of the new altar, making the new altar the main place for sacrifices.

Ahaz ordered that the daily sacrifices (Numbers 28:1–8) and the king's and people's offerings be made on the new altar. He then limited the bronze altar to his own private use. The text says this was to seek guidance, likely meaning he intended to use it for pagan divination. This demand showed arrogant disrespect toward the Lord and his worship. Uriah the priest obeyed the king instead of resisting him (2 Kings 16:10–11, 16).

• The side panels and basins from the water carts and the Sea were made of bronze (see 1 Kings 7:25–40). Ahaz might have used them to pay tribute or for another project.

• on account: At the king of Assyria's request, Ahaz removed the canopy leading to the inner court and the king’s private temple entrance. Judah lost much freedom because Ahaz trusted the Assyrian king's military help (2 Kings 16:7–8, 10).

the rest of the acts of Ahaz: Ahaz rejected the Lord by removing and destroying the temple's utensils (2 Chronicles 28:24). He closed the temple and stopped its services, promoting pagan practices instead (2 Chronicles 28:25; 29:7). Ahaz's complete change in Judah's worship was similar to Jeroboam I's actions (see 2 Kings 3:3; 13:2; 16:2–4; 17:21; 1 Kings 12:25–33; 16:26; 22:52).