“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.” (2 Chronicles
28:1-27 AV)
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