Summary
Ahaz, twenty‑year‑old when he ascended the throne, reigned sixteen years and failed to follow the ways of David, embracing the abominations of the peoples of the north. He allowed his son to pass through the fire and conducted sacrifices in high places, trees, and hills, provoking the king of Syria and the king of Israel to besiege Jerusalem. Unable to capture the city, they withdrew and returned the coastal town of Elath to Syria. Ahaz appealed to Tiglath‑Pileser, king of Assyria, and sent tribute from the temple’s silver and gold. Tiglath‑Pileser defeated Rezin, king of Syria, and captured Damascus, after which Ahaz went to meet him and brought back a bronze altar, which Urijah the priest built. Ahaz installed this altar beside the temple’s original brazen altar and reconfigured the sacrificial rites, removing the laver and altering the Sabbath cover. The chapter ends with a brief note of his burial and the succession of Hezekiah.