The Reign of Ahaz

INTRODUCTION: The northern kingdom of Israel has been rebellious for quite some time, but now the southern kingdom of Judah sinks to a new low. Under the reign of Ahaz, the Lord sends Syria and Israel against Judah. Instead of turning to the Lord, Ahaz turns to Assyria and the gods of Damascus for help.

1. THE BEGINNING OF AHAZS REIGN (2 Kings 16:1-4; 2 Chronicles 28:1-4)
1. The Details of His Reign (2 Kings 16:1-2; 2 Chronicles 28:1)
1. He began in the 17th year of Pekah (2 Kings 16:1).
2. He was 20 years old when he began to reign (2 Kings 16:2; 2 Chronicles 28:1).
3. He reigned 16 years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:2; 2 Chronicles 28:1).
2. The Character of His Reign (2 Kings 16:2-4; 2 Chronicles 28:1-4)
1. He did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 16:2; 2 Chronicles 28:1).
2. He walked in the way of the kings of Israel (2 Kings 16:3; 2 Chronicles 28:2).
3. He made molten images for Baalim (2 Chronicles 28:2).
4. He burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom (2 Chronicles 28:3).
5. He made his children pass through the fire (2 Kings 16:3; 2 Chronicles 28:3).
6. He sacrificed and burnt incense (2 Kings 16:4; 2 Chronicles 28:4).
1. In the high places
2. On the hills
3. Under every green tree
2. TROUBLE WITH SYRIA AND ISRAEL (2 Kings 16:5-6; 2 Chronicles 28:5-15)
1. The Nature of the Trouble (2 Kings 16:5; 2 Chronicles 28:5)
1. The trouble was sent by the Lord as judgment (2 Chronicles 28:5).
2. The trouble was great (2 Kings 16:5; 2 Chronicles 28:5).
1. Syria smote Judah and carried away a great multitude to Damascus.
2. Israel smote Judah with a great slaughter.
2. The Accomplishments of Syria (2 Kings 16:6)
1. They drave the Jews from Elath.
2. They dwelt in Elath in the stead of the Jews.
3. The Accomplishments of Israel (2 Chronicles 28:6-15)
1. The destruction of Judah (2 Chronicles 28:6-7)
1. Israel slew in Judah 120,000 valiant men in one day (2 Chronicles 28:6).
2. Israel slew three key men in Judah (2 Chronicles 28:7).
1. Maaseiah, the kings son
2. Azrikam, the governor of the house
3. Elkanah, the second in command
2. The sin of Israel (2 Chronicles 28:8-14)
1. Israel carried away 200,000 from Judah (2 Chronicles 28:8).
2. Oded, a prophet of the Lord warned Israel (2 Chronicles 28:9-11).
1. The Lord sent Israel against Judah because He was wroth with Judah (2 Chronicles 28:9).
2. The Lord did not intend for Israel to take Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen (2 Chronicles 28:10).
3. They needed to deliver the captives back to their brethren (2 Chronicles 28:11).
4. The fierce wrath of the Lord was upon them (2 Chronicles 28:11).
3. The heads of Ephraim refused to accept the captives of Judah (2 Chronicles 28:12-14).
3. The heads of Ephraim returned the captives (2 Chronicles 28:15).
1. They clothed the captives with the spoil.
2. They gave the captives food and drink.
3. They anointed the captives.
4. They led the captives to Jericho, carrying the feeble upon asses.
3. THE RUIN OF JUDAH (2 Kings 16:7-18; 2 Chronicles 28:16-25)
1. Ahazs Dependency upon Assyria (2 Kings 16:7-9; 2 Chronicles 28:16-21)
1. Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser requesting help (2 Kings 16:7; 2 Chronicles 28:16-18).
1. Ahaz presented himself to Assyria as a servant (2 Kings 16:7).
2. He requested help because of his enemies (2 Kings 16:7; 2 Chronicles 28:16-18).
1. Syria (2 Kings 16:7)
2. Israel (2 Kings 16:7)
3. The Edomites (2 Chronicles 28:17)
4. The Philistines (2 Chronicles 28:18)
2. Ahaz cannot find relief (2 Chronicles 28:19-20).
1. The Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:19).
2. In the end, Tiglathpilesers help does not help (2 Chronicles 28:20).
3. Ahaz gave gifts unto Tiglathpileser (2 Kings 16:8; 2 Chronicles 28:21).
1. Silver and gold from the house of the Lord
2. Treasures of the houses of the princes and king
4. Tiglathpileser offers assistance to Ahaz (2 Kings 16:9).
1. He went up against Damascus.
2. He took it, and carried the people captive to Kir.
3. He slew Rezin.
4. Note: In the end, Tiglathpileser was more of a problem for Ahaz than he was a help (see 2 Chronicles 28:20, 21).
2. Ahazs Introduction of Idolatry (2 Kings 16:10-18; 2 Chronicles 28:22-25)
1. His appreciation for the gods of Damascus (2 Kings 16:10-13; 2 Chronicles 28:22-23)
1. In the time of his distress, he trespassed more against the Lord (2 Chronicles 28:22).
2. When meeting Tiglathpileser in Damascus, Ahaz saw an altar for the gods of Damascus (2 Kings 16:10).
3. He sent to Urijah the priest requesting that a replica be made in Judah (2 Kings 16:10-11).
4. When Ahaz returned home, he offered sacrifices upon the pagan altar (2 Kings 12-13; 2 Chronicles 28:23).
1. His burnt offering
2. His meat offering
3. His drink offering
4. His peace offering
2. His corruption of holy things (2 Kings 16:14-18; 2 Chronicles 28:24)
1. He moved the brasen altar (2 Kings 16:14).
2. He changed the purpose of the brasen altar (2 Kings 16:15).
3. He broke down the molten sea (2 Kings 16:17).
4. He cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God (2 Chronicles 28:24).
5. He shut the doors of the house of the Lord (2 Chronicles 28:24).
6. He gave a covert for the sabbath unto Tiglathpileser (2 Kings 16:18).
3. His multiplication of altars and high places (2 Chronicles 28:24-25)
4. THE END OF AHAZS REIGN (2 Kings 16:19-20; 2 Chronicles 28:26-27)
1. The Rest of His Acts (2 Kings 16:19; 2 Chronicles 28:26)
2. His Death and Burial (2 Kings 16:20; 2 Chronicles 28:27)

CONCLUSION: The Lord is no respecter of persons, and He demonstrates this in His judgment of the favoured southern kingdom. The Lord is just in His judgment regardless of the identity of the guilty.