top of page

2 Chronicles 28

In this chapter, we see the reign of King Ahaz, one of the most wicked kings of Judah. His reign is marked by idolatry, the desecration of the temple, and political alliances that lead to Judah's downfall. Ahaz forsakes God, leading to military defeats and Judah's suffering at the hands of its enemies. Yet despite his rebellion, God's prophets call for repentance, demonstrating God's enduring mercy.

2 Chronicles 28:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and he did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord, as his father David had done.
2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made molded images for the Baals.
3 He burned incense in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and burned his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.
4 And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.
5 Therefore the Lord his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria. They defeated him, and carried away a great multitude of them as captives, and brought them to Damascus. Then he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who defeated him with a great slaughter.

Ahaz's reign is characterized by idolatry, as he follows the sinful practices of the northern kingdom of Israel, making idols and sacrificing his own children. His apostasy leads to God's judgment. Ahaz’s rejection of God results in devastating military defeats. First, the Syrians capture many of his people, and then Israel inflicts a terrible slaughter. His refusal to seek God leads to national suffering.

2 Chronicles 28:6 (NKJV)
6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed one hundred and twenty thousand in Judah in one day, all valiant men, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers.

The enormity of Judah's defeat is highlighted here, as 120,000 of Judah's best soldiers are killed in a single day. This devastating loss is attributed to their abandonment of God. Their strength and valor meant nothing when they had forsaken the Lord. The defeat serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.

2 Chronicles 28:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king’s son, Azrikam the officer over the house, and Elkanah who was second to the king.
8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand women, sons, and daughters; and they also took away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.
9 But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out before the army that came to Samaria, and said to them: “Look, because the Lord God of your fathers was angry with Judah, He has delivered them into your hand; but you have killed them in a rage that reaches up to heaven."

The losses in Judah continue, as even members of the royal family and high-ranking officials are slain by Zichri. Israel captures 200,000 of their own countrymen and takes them to Samaria. However, God’s mercy shines through as the prophet Oded warns Israel that although God allowed them to defeat Judah, their excessive violence has angered Him. This prophet acts as a voice of divine justice, calling for restraint.

2 Chronicles 28:10-11 (NKJV)
10 And now you propose to force the children of Judah and Jerusalem to be your male and female slaves; but are you not also guilty before the Lord your God?
11 Now hear me, therefore, and return the captives, whom you have taken captive from your brethren, for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you.”

Oded continues his message, reminding Israel that they themselves are guilty before God and should not compound their sin by enslaving their fellow Israelites. He calls for repentance and the release of the captives to avoid God's wrath. This shows that even in times of judgment, God offers a path to mercy if there is repentance.

2 Chronicles 28:12-15 (NKJV)
12 Then some of the heads of the children of Ephraim: Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against those who came from the war,
13 and said to them, “You shall not bring the captives here, for we already have offended the Lord. You intend to add to our sins and to our guilt, for our guilt is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.”
14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the leaders and all the assembly.
15 Then the men who were designated by name rose up and took the captives, and from the spoil they clothed all who were naked among them, dressed them and gave them sandals, gave them food and drink, and anointed them; and they let all the feeble ones ride on donkeys. So they brought them to their brethren at Jericho, the city of palm trees. Then they returned to Samaria.

The leaders of Ephraim, recognizing their guilt, act upon Oded’s warning. They prevent the warriors from bringing the captives into Samaria and acknowledge that they have already sinned against the Lord. In an act of mercy and repentance, the leaders ensure that the captives are treated with dignity and returned to their homes. This reflects a moment of repentance and justice amidst the war.

2 Chronicles 28:16-19 (NKJV)
16 At the same time King Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria to help him.
17 For again the Edomites had come, attacked Judah, and carried away captives.
18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the lowland and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Socho with its villages, Timnah with its villages, and Gimzo with its villages; and they dwelt there.
19 For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the Lord.

Instead of turning to God for help, Ahaz foolishly seeks aid from Assyria. Meanwhile, Judah continues to suffer attacks from the Edomites and Philistines, losing territory and people. These invasions are described as God's judgment on Judah due to Ahaz’s encouragement of idolatry and moral decay. His unfaithfulness brings about both spiritual and physical ruin.

2 Chronicles 28:20-21 (NKJV)
20 Also Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him and distressed him, and did not assist him.
21 For Ahaz took part of the treasures from the house of the Lord, from the house of the king, and from the leaders, and he gave it to the king of Assyria; but he did not help him.

Ahaz’s alliance with Assyria backfires. Instead of providing help, Tiglath-Pileser oppresses Judah further. Ahaz even sacrifices the temple's treasures to buy Assyria’s aid, but it results in no help. This illustrates the futility of trusting in human alliances rather than in God.

2 Chronicles 28:22-25 (NKJV)
22 Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the Lord. This is that King Ahaz.
23 For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him, saying, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel.
24 So Ahaz gathered the articles of the house of God, cut in pieces the articles of the house of God, shut up the doors of the house of the Lord, and made for himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem.
25 And in every single city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked to anger the Lord God of his fathers.

Instead of repenting, Ahaz grows more unfaithful, turning to the gods of Damascus, thinking they would bring victory. This deepens Judah's spiritual decline, as these false gods become the downfall of both Ahaz and Israel. Ahaz’s actions culminate in the desecration of the temple and widespread idolatry throughout Judah, provoking God’s wrath further.

2 Chronicles 28:26-27 (NKJV)
26 Now the rest of his acts and all his ways, from first to last, indeed they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
27 So Ahaz rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, in Jerusalem; but they did not bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel. Then Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.

Ahaz’s reign is summarized as one of failure and unfaithfulness. His legacy is so tarnished that he is not buried in the royal tombs, indicating the people's disdain for his leadership. With his death, Hezekiah takes the throne, bringing hope for reform and a return to faithfulness.

bottom of page