2 Chronicles 28:1-19 ▼

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⁺.”

12 Then some of the leaders of the Ephraimites (the leaders of the northern kingdom of Israel) Azariah (YHWH has helped) son of Jehohanan (YHWH has graced), Berechiah (YHWH blesses) son of Meshillemoth (Meshillemith), 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).”

14 So the armed men left the captives and the plunder before the leaders and all the assembly.

15 Then 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).

16 At that time King Ahaz (he has grasped) sent for help from the king [kings] of Assyria (a step).

17 The Edomites had again come and attacked Judah (praised) and carried away captives.

18 The Philistines (immigrants) had also raided the cities of the foothills {Shephelah} 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.

19 For the LORD {YHWH} humbled Judah (praised) because Ahaz (he has grasped) king of Israel (Judah) had thrown off restraint in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the LORD.