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2 Kings 16 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
This was a horrific compromise by Ahaz as he decided to trust the Assyrian army to bail him out of this looming threat. When we read this same story from the book of Isaiah, the compromise becomes even more clear.
When King Ahaz, the son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah, ruled Judah, war broke out. Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, attacked Jerusalem, but were unable to capture it. 2 When word reached the king of Judah that the armies of Syria were already in the territory of Israel, he and all his people were so terrified that they trembled like trees shaking in the wind.
Isaiah 7:1-2 GNB
The LORD sent another message to Ahaz: 11 “Ask the LORD your God to give you a sign. It can be from deep in the world of the dead or from high up in heaven.” 12 Ahaz answered, “I will not ask for a sign. I refuse to put the LORD to the test.” 13 To that Isaiah replied, “Listen, now, descendants of King David. It’s bad enough for you to wear out the patience of people—do you have to wear out God’s patience too? 14 Well then, the Lord himself will give you a sign: a young woman who is pregnant will have a son and will name him ‘Immanuel.’
Isaiah 7:10-14 GNB
As you can see, the prophet Isaiah was not pleased with Ahaz’s answer. Under the excuse of “testing the Lord,” he instead trusts the Assyrians and ignores the prophet’s counsel. Interestingly, Isaiah then goes into a full-fledged prophetic statement that many believe to point to Jesus Christ (Immanuel). Scholars and commentators alike have debated this statement and the significance of it following this huge decision by Ahaz. Many agree that this decision to trust Assyria over God signaled the end of David’s dynasty.
The main point is, Ahaz thwarted the attack plan of Syria and Israel but did so in direct disobedience to Isaiah’s instruction. There are tough times ahead.