2 Kings 16:2 Study Bible: Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not do that which was right in the eyes of the LORD his God, like David his father.

◄ 2 Kings 16:2 ►

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 his God.

Study Bible

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 pressures, both politically and religiously. The age of twenty suggests a lack of experience, which could have impacted his decision-making and leadership style.

and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years
Ahaz's reign in Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, lasted for sixteen years, from approximately 732 to 716 BC. This period was marked by significant political turmoil and threats from surrounding nations, including Assyria and Israel. Jerusalem, as the center of worship and governance, was crucial in maintaining the spiritual and political integrity of Judah. Ahaz's reign is noted for its departure from traditional worship practices, which had long-term consequences for the kingdom.

And unlike David his father
The reference to David highlights the ideal standard of kingship in Judah. David, known for his heart after God, set a benchmark for faithfulness and obedience to the LORD. The term "father" here is used in a broader ancestral sense, as Ahaz was a descendant of David. This comparison underscores Ahaz's failure to live up to the covenantal expectations established by David, which included loyalty to God and adherence to His commandments.

he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God
Ahaz's reign is characterized by actions that were contrary to the will of God. This phrase indicates a moral and spiritual failure, as he engaged in practices that were detestable to the LORD, such as idolatry and alliances with pagan nations. His actions are documented in other parts of Scripture, such as 2 Chronicles 28, where his idolatrous practices and reliance on Assyria are detailed. This deviation from righteousness had significant implications for Judah, leading to spiritual decline and eventual judgment.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ahaz
The king of Judah who began his reign at the age of twenty. His reign is marked by idolatry and a departure from the ways of his ancestor David.

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

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

4. The LORD
The God of Israel, whose standards and commandments Ahaz failed to uphold during his reign.

5. Reign of Ahaz
A period characterized by spiritual decline and political turmoil, as Ahaz led Judah away from the worship of the LORD.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Godly Leadership
Ahaz's failure to lead righteously had dire consequences for Judah. Leaders are called to uphold God's standards and lead by example.

The Consequences of Idolatry
Ahaz's idolatry led to spiritual and national decline. We must guard against allowing anything to take precedence over our devotion to God.

Learning from the Past
Ahaz's comparison to David serves as a reminder to learn from the examples of those who have gone before us, both positive and negative.

The Role of Personal Responsibility
Despite his heritage, Ahaz made personal choices that led him away from God. Each individual is responsible for their relationship with God.

Hope Amidst Failure
Even in Ahaz's failure, God's promises and plans continued, as seen in the prophecy of Immanuel. God's faithfulness remains even when we fall short.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Ahaz's reign compare to the expectations set for kings in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, and what can we learn from this comparison?

2. In what ways did Ahaz's leadership impact the spiritual state of Judah, and how can we apply this understanding to leadership roles today?

3. How does the prophecy in Isaiah 7 provide hope amidst Ahaz's failures, and what does this teach us about God's faithfulness?

4. What are some modern-day "idols" that can lead us away from God, and how can we guard against them in our lives?

5. How can we learn from both the successes and failures of biblical figures like Ahaz and David to strengthen our walk with God?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Chronicles 28
Provides a parallel account of Ahaz's reign, detailing his idolatry and the consequences that befell Judah as a result.

Isaiah 7
Describes the political and spiritual challenges during Ahaz's reign, including the prophecy of Immanuel, which offers hope amidst Ahaz's failures.

Deuteronomy 17:14-20
Outlines the expectations for Israel's kings, which Ahaz failed to meet, particularly in maintaining faithfulness to God.

Psalm 89:3-4
Reminds us of God's covenant with David, contrasting the faithfulness expected of David's descendants with Ahaz's unfaithfulness.

Sermons

The Wickedness of Ahaz	J. Orr	2 Kings 16:1-4
A People's King and Priest, or Kinghood and Priesthood	David Thomas, D. D.	2 Kings 16:1-20
A People's King and Priest; Or, Kinghood and Priesthood	D. Thomas	2 Kings 16:1-20
Steps in a Downward Path: the Reign of Ahaz	C.H. Irwin	2 Kings 16:1-20

People

Ahaz, Aram, David, Edomites, Hezekiah, Israelites, Jotham, Pekah, Remaliah, Rezin, Syrians, Tiglathpileser, Uriah, Urijah

Places

Assyria, Damascus, Elath, Jerusalem, Kir, Syria

Topics

Ahaz, David, Didn't, Jerusalem, Reign, Reigned, Reigning, Ruling, Sight, Sixteen, Twenty, Unlike

Dictionary of Bible Themes

2 Kings 16:2

8739 evil, examples of

2 Kings 16:1-4

7241 Jerusalem, significance

2 Kings 16:1-20

5366 king

Library

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 Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his Adherents, in this Respect, in Tyrannically Oppressing and Destroying Souls.
1. The power of the Church in enacting laws. This made a source of human traditions. Impiety of these traditions. 2. Many of the Papistical traditions not only difficult, but impossible to be observed. 3. That the question may be more conveniently explained, nature of conscience must be defined. 4. Definition of conscience explained. Examples in illustration of the definition. 5. Paul's doctrine of submission to magistrates for conscience sake, gives no countenance to the Popish doctrine of the obligation …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

That Upon the Conquest and Slaughter of vitellius Vespasian Hastened his Journey to Rome; but Titus his Son Returned to Jerusalem.
1. And now, when Vespasian had given answers to the embassages, and had disposed of the places of power justly, [25] and according to every one's deserts, he came to Antioch, and consulting which way he had best take, he preferred to go for Rome, rather than to march to Alexandria, because he saw that Alexandria was sure to him already, but that the affairs at Rome were put into disorder by Vitellius; so he sent Mucianus to Italy, and committed a considerable army both of horsemen and footmen to …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

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

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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