2 Chronicles 28:1-11 ▼

1 Ahaz (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}.

2 Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel (he wrestles with God) and even made cast images of the Baals (lord).

3 Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom (lamentation) and sacrificed his sons in the fire \passed his sons through the fire/, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD {YHWH} had driven out before the Israelites (God prevails).

4 And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.

5 So 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.

6 For 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.

7 Zichri (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.

8 Then 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).

9 But 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.

10 And 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}?

11 Now therefore, listen to me and return the captives you⁺ took from your⁺ kinsmen, for the fierce anger of the LORD {YHWH} is upon you⁺.”