Ahaz Reigns in Judah
(2 Kings 16:1–9)

1Ahaz (he has grasped) was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem (city of peace) sixteen years. And unlike David (beloved) his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD {YHWH}. 2Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel (he wrestles with God) and even made cast images of the Baals (lord).

3Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom (lamentation) and sacrificed his sons in the fire \passed his sons through the fire/,a according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD {YHWH} had driven out before the Israelites (God prevails). 4And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.

Aram Defeats Judah
(Isaiah 1:1–9)

5So the LORD his God {YHWH Elohaw} delivered Ahaz into the hand of the king of Aram (exalted), who attacked him and took many captives to Damascus (well-watered land).

Ahaz was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel (he wrestles with God), who struck him with great force. 6For in one day Pekah (expand) son of Remaliah (protected by YHWH) killed 120,000 valiant men in Judah (praised). This happened because they had forsaken the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of their fathers. 7Zichri (memorable), a mighty man of Ephraim (doubly fruitful), killed Maaseiah (work of YHWH) the son of the king, Azrikam (help against the enemy) the governor of the palace, and Elkanah (God has possessed) the second to the king. 8Then the Israelites (God prevails) took 200,000 captives from their kinsmen—women, sons, and daughters. They also carried off a great deal of plunder and brought it to Samaria (watch mountain).

9But a prophet of the LORD {YHWH} named Oded (restorer) was there, and he went out to meet the army that returned to Samaria (watch mountain). “Look,” he said to them, “because of His wrath against Judah (praised), the LORD, the God {Elohe} of your⁺ fathers, has delivered them into your⁺ hand. But you⁺ have slaughtered them in a rage that reaches up to heaven. 10And now you⁺ intend to reduce to slavery the men and women of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace). But are you⁺ not also guilty before the LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem}? 11Now therefore, listen to me and return the captives you⁺ took from your⁺ kinsmen, for the fierce anger of the LORD {YHWH} is upon you⁺.”

12Then some of the leaders of the Ephraimites (the leaders of the northern kingdom of Israel)b—Azariah (YHWH has helped) son of Jehohanan (YHWH has graced), Berechiah (YHWH blesses) son of Meshillemoth (Meshillemith),c Jehizkiah (YHWH has made strong) son of Shallum (retribution), and Amasa (burden) son of Hadlai (rest of God)—stood in opposition to those arriving from the war. 13“You⁺ must not bring the captives here,” they said, “for you⁺ are proposing to bring guilt upon us from the LORD {YHWH} and to add to our sins and our guilt. For our guilt is great, and fierce anger is upon Israel (he wrestles with God).”

14So the armed men left the captives and the plunder before the leaders and all the assembly. 15Then the men who were designated by name arose, took charge of the captives, and provided from the plunder clothing for the naked. They clothed them, gave them sandals and food and drink, anointed their wounds, and put all the feeble on donkeys. So they brought them to Jericho (city of palms), the City of Palms, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria (watch mountain).

The Idolatry of Ahaz
(2 Kings 16:10–20)

16At that time King Ahaz (he has grasped) sent for help from the king [kings]d of Assyria (a step). 17The Edomites had again come and attacked Judah (praised) and carried away captives. 18The Philistines (immigrants) had also raided the cities of the foothills {Shephelah}e and the Negev (southland) of Judah (praised), capturing and occupying Beth-shemesh (house of the sun), Aijalon (field of deer), and Gederoth (walls), as well as Soco (bushy), Timnah (portion), and Gimzo (fertile in sycamores) with their villages. 19For the LORD {YHWH} humbled Judah (praised) because Ahaz (he has grasped) king of Israel (Judah)f had thrown off restraint in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the LORD.

20Then Tiglath-pileser (You will uncover the wonderful bond)g king of Assyria (a step) came to Ahaz but afflicted him rather than strengthening him. 21Although Ahaz (he has grasped) had taken a portion from the house of the LORD {YHWH}, from the royal palace, and from the princes and had presented it to the king of Assyria (a step), it did not help him.

22In the time of his distress, King Ahaz (he has grasped) became even more unfaithful to the LORD {YHWH}. 23He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus (well-watered land), who had defeated him, and he said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram (exalted) have helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But these gods were the downfall of Ahaz and of all Israel (he wrestles with God).

24Then Ahaz (he has grasped) gathered up the articles of the house of God {Elohim}, cut them into pieces, shut the doors of the house of the LORD {YHWH}, and set up altars of his own on every street corner in Jerusalem (city of peace). 25In every city of Judah (praised) he built high places to offer incense to other gods, and so he provoked the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of his fathers.

26As for the rest of the acts of Ahaz and all his ways, from beginning to end, they are indeed written in the Book of the Kings of Judah (praised) and Israel (he wrestles with God). 27And Ahaz (he has grasped) rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of Jerusalem (city of peace), but he was not placed in the tombs of the kings of Israel (he wrestles with God). And his son Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) reigned in his place.