2 Chronicles 28:1
Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD.
Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king
Ahaz ascended to the throne of Judah at a young age, indicating a period of potential vulnerability for the kingdom. His youth may have contributed to his susceptibility to external influences and idolatry. The age of twenty is significant in biblical terms, often marking the beginning of adulthood and responsibility (Numbers 1:3).

and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years
Ahaz's reign in Jerusalem, the political and spiritual center of Judah, lasted for sixteen years. This period was marked by significant political turmoil and spiritual decline. Jerusalem, as the city of David, held great importance as the site of the temple, the center of worship for the Israelites. Ahaz's reign saw the introduction of foreign religious practices, which had lasting impacts on the kingdom.

And unlike David his father
The reference to David highlights the standard of righteousness and faithfulness to God that Ahaz failed to meet. David, though not without sin, was known for his heart after God (1 Samuel 13:14). The term "father" here is used in a broader ancestral sense, as David was Ahaz's forefather. This comparison underscores the deviation from the covenantal faithfulness expected of the Davidic line.

he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD
Ahaz's actions were contrary to the covenantal laws and expectations set by God for the kings of Israel and Judah. His reign was characterized by idolatry and alliances with pagan nations, which were condemned by the prophets (Isaiah 7:10-13). This phrase indicates a moral and spiritual failure, contrasting with the ideal of kingship exemplified by David. The "eyes of the LORD" phrase emphasizes God's omniscience and the divine standard by which all actions are judged.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ahaz
The king of Judah who began his reign at the age of twenty. His reign is marked by unfaithfulness to God, contrasting with the legacy of his ancestor David.

2. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, where Ahaz reigned. It holds significant religious and political importance as the center of Jewish worship and governance.

3. David
The revered king of Israel, known for his heart after God. Ahaz is compared to David, highlighting his failure to follow in David's righteous footsteps.

4. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, whose standards and commandments Ahaz failed to uphold during his reign.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Godly Leadership
Ahaz's reign serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of ungodly leadership. Leaders are called to uphold God's standards and lead their people in righteousness.

The Consequences of Unfaithfulness
Ahaz's failure to do what was right in the eyes of the LORD led to negative consequences for himself and his nation. Faithfulness to God is crucial for personal and communal well-being.

The Legacy of David
David is often used as a benchmark for righteous leadership. Believers are encouraged to emulate David's heart for God, seeking to align their actions with His will.

The Role of Age in Leadership
Ahaz became king at a young age, reminding us that spiritual maturity and wisdom are not necessarily tied to age. Young leaders should seek guidance and wisdom from God and godly mentors.

The Need for Repentance
Despite Ahaz's failures, the opportunity for repentance and restoration is always available. Believers are encouraged to turn back to God when they stray from His path.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Ahaz's reign contrast with that of his ancestor David, and what can we learn from this comparison about the importance of following God's ways?

2. In what ways can the account of Ahaz serve as a warning for leaders today, both in the church and in secular contexts?

3. How does the account of Ahaz in 2 Chronicles 28:1 relate to the expectations for kings outlined in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, and what does this teach us about the importance of obedience to God's law?

4. What role does age play in leadership according to the Bible, and how can young leaders ensure they are leading in a way that honors God?

5. Reflecting on Ahaz's life, what steps can we take to ensure that we remain faithful to God, even when faced with challenges and temptations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 16
Provides a parallel account of Ahaz's reign, offering additional details about his actions and the consequences of his unfaithfulness.

Isaiah 7
Describes the prophet Isaiah's interactions with Ahaz, including the prophecy of Immanuel, highlighting Ahaz's lack of faith in God's promises.

Deuteronomy 17:14-20
Outlines the expectations for Israel's kings, which Ahaz failed to meet, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's law.
Spiritual ReboundW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 28:1-4
This is that King AhazT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 28:1-27
People
Ahaz, Amasa, Aram, Azariah, Azrikam, Ben, Berechiah, David, Edomites, Elkanah, Hadlai, Hezekiah, Israelites, Jehizkiah, Jehohanan, Johanan, Maaseiah, Meshillemoth, Oded, Pekah, Remaliah, Shallum, Tilgathpilneser, Timnah, Zichri
Places
Aijalon, Assyria, Beth-shemesh, Damascus, Gederoth, Gimzo, Jericho, Jerusalem, Negeb, Samaria, Shephelah, Soco, Syria, Timnah, Valley of Hinnom
Topics
Ahaz, David, Didn't, Jerusalem, Reign, Reigned, Reigning, Ruling, Sight, Sixteen, Twenty, Unlike
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 28:1-2

     7312   Baal

2 Chronicles 28:1-4

     7241   Jerusalem, significance
     8747   false gods
     8807   profanity

2 Chronicles 28:1-27

     5366   king

Library
Costly and Fatal Help
'He sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.'--2 CHRON. xxviii. 23. Ahaz came to the throne when a youth of twenty. From the beginning he reversed the policy of his father, and threw himself into the arms of the heathen party. In a comparatively short reign of sixteen years he stamped out the worship of God, and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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