Summary
King Ahaz, who began ruling at twenty, reigned sixteen years but pursued wicked practices contrary to his father David’s example. He adopted the idolatrous ways of Israel, built altars to Baal, burned incense, and even performed child sacrifice, which led to divine judgment. As a result, Judah was attacked by the kings of Syria and Israel, suffering great losses and the capture of many, while the people of Israel enslaved 200,000 Judeans. A prophet named Oded warned the conquering Philistines to return the captives, and leaders of Ephraim interceded, returning the captives to Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Ahaz sought aid from Assyria, yet it failed to relieve him; instead, he further defiled the temple, dismantled its vessels, and erected altars for foreign gods. He died and was buried in Jerusalem, with his son Hezekiah succeeding him.