1Ahaz 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:

2For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.

3Moreover 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.

4He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

5Wherefore 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.

6For 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.

7And 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.

8And 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.

9But 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.

10And 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?

11Now 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.

12Then 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,

13And 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.

14So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation.

15And 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.

16At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him.

17For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.

18The 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.

19For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the LORD.

20And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.

21For 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.

22And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.

23For 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.

24And 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.

25And 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.

26Now 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.

27And 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.

COMMENTARY by Dr. Dave Burnette

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Ezra

Date Penned: (430 BC)

Overview: A History of God's Chosen People (c 1-36)

Theme: The Kingdom of Judah (c 10-36)

Message: Ahaz Rules Judah (1-27)

2 Chronicles 28 Commentary

(28:1) David's Descendants - During Ahaz's reign in Judah, the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and carried into captivity (2 Kings 17). Chronicles mentions very little about the northern kingdom because the author was focused on David's descendants, from whom the Messiah would one day come.

(28:3) Children Sacrificed - Imagine the monstrous evil of a religion that offers young children as sacrifices. God allowed the nation to be conquered in response to Ahaz's evil practices. Today the practice hasn't abated. The sacrifice of children to the harsh gods of convenience, poverty, and desperation continues in sterile medical facilities in numbers that would astound even the wicked Ahaz. If we are to allow children to come to Christ (Matthew 19:14), we must first allow them to come into the world.

(28:12-15) Oded Confronts Their Sin - The leaders of Israel attacked Judah and captured 200,000 women and children, plus a large amount of plunder. When Oded, a prophet, confronted them with their sin of unmercifully killing and enslaving their fellow Israelites, the leaders of the army repented and ordered the people to be released. They were afraid of adding more sin on top of their existing sin. The lone voice of one godly person and then the voices of just four more men convinced an entire army to change course. When the time comes for you to stand up and call out wrong, will you have the courage to do it? Your courage and reliance on God's strength can do more than you could ever imagine

(28:22) Ahaz Struggles Lead To Collapse - at all Difficulties and struggles can devastate people, or they can stimulate growth and maturity. For Ahaz, deep troubles led to spiritual collapse. We do not need to respond like Ahaz. When facing problems or tragedy, we must remember that rough times give us a chance to grow (James 1:2-4). When you are facing trials, don't turn away from God; turn to him. See these times as opportunities for you to ask for God's help.

(28:24) The Temple Shuts Down - Ahaz shut down the temple so that nobody could worship there; then he made pagan shrines in all the towns of Judah so that the people could worship other gods instead. Ahaz was preventing people from worshiping the one true God. Many years later, Jesus would warn the experts in religious law that great sorrows awaited them not only because their hard hearts would keep them from entering God's kingdom but also because their actions were preventing others from entering (Luke 11:52). We are accountable not only for our own sins but also for when we lead others to sin with us. Nothing we say or do should lead others astray or even make it more difficult for those around us to love and worship God. The consequences are great for those who do (Luke 17:1-3).

LIFE APPLICATION by Dr. Dave Burnette

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of 2 Chronicles with Chapter 28 and we see Ahaz ruling Judah and does evil in the site of the Lord allowing worship of Idols to the point to sacrificing children to their false gods as sacrifices. This allowed the nation to be given over to its enemies due to its wickedness. In making application we see a parallel in our nation today. Abortion is allowed and embraced by a majority. History does repeat itself and we would be wise to repent before our land is given over to our enemies. How about you? Do you see our nation following the example of Judah? Let us learn from our text today and the life of Ahaz to remember that the worship of false gods and religions leads our nation to a path of destruction.