1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to
reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right
in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:
2 For
he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for
Baalim.
3 Moreover
he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in
the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out
before the children of Israel.
4 He
sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and
under every green tree.
5 Wherefore
the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they
smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to
Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who
smote him with a great slaughter.
6 For
Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one
day, which were all
valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.
7 And
Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the
governor of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king.
8 And
the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred
thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also 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 host
that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your
fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye
have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.
10 And
now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen
and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins
against the LORD your God?
11 Now
hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive
of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon
you.
12 Then
certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan,
Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa
the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war,
13 And
said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have
offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to
our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce
wrath against Israel.
14 So
the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the
congregation.
15 And
the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with
the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod
them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the
feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees,
to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.
16 At
that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him.
17 For
again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.
18 The
Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of
Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the
villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages
thereof: and they dwelt there.
19 For
the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah
naked, and transgressed sore against the LORD.
20 And
Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but
strengthened him not.
21 For
Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD, and out of
the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto
the king of Assyria: but he helped him not.
22 And
in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king
Ahaz.
23 For
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.
24 And
Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the
vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD,
and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.
25 And
in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other
gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers.
26 Now
the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written
in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
27 And
Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in
Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel:
and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
