Uzziah, also spelled Ozias, also called Azariah, or Azarias, in the Old Testament (2 Chronicles 26), son and successor of Amaziah, and king of Judah for 52 years (c. 791–739 bc).
Assyrian records indicate that Uzziah reigned for 42 years (c. 783–742). His reign marked the height of Judah’s power. He fought successfully against other nations and exacted tribute from the Ammonites. Judah expanded westward with settlements in Philistia.
During the period of Uzziah’s reign, the nation prospered, and desert areas were reclaimed by water conservation. Jerusalem’s walls were reconstructed, towers were added, and engines of war were mounted at strategic points. A large army was also maintained. The nation’s prosperity under Uzziah was considered to have been a result of the king’s fidelity to Yahweh.
According to the biblical record, Uzziah’s strength caused him to become proud, which led to his destruction. He attempted to burn incense in the Temple, an act restricted to priests. When the priests attempted to send him from the Temple, the king became angry and was immediately stricken with leprosy. His son Jotham ruled for his father until Uzziah died.
King Jotham ruled Judah around 742 B.C. which is where he appears on the Bible Timeline Chart and he was the son of King Uzziah. Jotham’s name means “God is perfect” or “God is complete”. He was 25 years old when he took the throne and ruled Judah for 16 years. His mother was named Jerusha and she was queen to Uzziah. The Lord considered Jotham a good king because he did what was right according to his expectations.
King Jotham influenced his son in the ways of God. Throughout the course of Uzziah’s life he continuously sought the Lord. God had blessed him tremendously for faithfulness to him. Jotham recognized the importance of serving God from observing his father. Uzziah almost had a perfect life with the Lord but toward the end of his reign he became proud. He entered the temple and burned incense on the altar. The priest told him that he should not be doing such a thing but the king didn’t listen to them and became outraged. God then struck him with leprosy and he had to live outside of his kingdom until the day he died. This event was very significant to King Jotham because he never entered into Solomon’s Temple during his time in power. While Uzziah was still alive and living outside of kingdom with leprosy he still ruled the land but he did so with the aide Jotham. They were co-regents that ruled together.
Jotham rebuilt the upper gates of Solomon’s Temple and he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord. Even though he personally served God he could not influence his subjects to follow in his ways. King Jotham didn’t destroy the pagan shrines. The people still offered sacrifices and burned incense to foreign gods. This is probably one reason why God sent the Arameans, Rezin and King Pekah of Israel against Judah as punishment for their sins.
King Jotham lived during the time of the prophets Isaiah, Hosea, Amos and Micah. Since he was a god fearing man he apparently listened intently to these messages from the Lord. He not only listened but he obeyed them as well. The fact still remains is that the people did not obey the messages from these prophets nor were they influenced by this king no matter how much he tried to do what was right according to God. God faulted the people and not the king for this situation.
The king waged war against the Ammonites and defeated them. He received a three year tribute of silver, wheat and barely from the Ammonites. Throughout the years of his rule, King Jotham was careful to obey all the commands of God. The Lord blessed King Jotham with power since he was personally obedient to his commands. Though the Bible doesn’t go into specific details about how God expanded the power of King Jotham, it’s safe to assume that the Lord built up his military forces and treasury in the same way that he did for his father Uzziah. King Jotham eventually died and was buried in the City of David. His son Ahaz took over the throne after he passed away.
King Jotham assumed the throne of Judah when he was 25 years old. He reigned for 16 years, although some of these years might overlap with the reign of his father, Uzziah, while Uzziah was isolated with leprosy. 100 Prophecies by George Konig and Ray Konig
Jotham's mother was Jerusha, who was the daughter of Zadok. Jotham followed the generally good example of his father. He built the upper gate of the Temple and did extensive rebuilding of the walls on the hill where the Temple was located. He also built cities in the hill country of Judah.
He had a successful war against the Ammonites and received annual tribute from them for three years. King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to follow the path of the Lord (2 Chronicles 27:6). When he died, he was buried in Jerusalem, and his son, Ahaz, became the new king.
The story of Jotham is found in 2 Kings 15:32-38, and 2 Chronicles, chapter 27.
The name Jotham means "may Yah (a name for God) complete."
King Jotham Reigned 16 Years and Recieved Blessings from God
Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was 25 years old when he began to reign. His father had become a leper after attempting to burn incense in the temple, a function reserved only for the priests. While Uzziah lived in isolation, Jotham watched over the business of the kingdom. He reigned for 16 years in Jerusalem, and “he did what was right in the sight of the Lord,” but he didn't try burning incense in the temple, and he didn't get rid of the high places, so many people continued in their idolatrous practices.
Jotham did, however, build the Upper Gate of the house of the Lord, and he built a tower at the north end of the city called the wall of Ophel. He built cities in the mountains of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests.
Jotham went to battle with the king of the Ammonites and his armies and defeated them. In making peace, the people of Ammon gave Jotham 100 talents of silver, (roughly $100,000), 100,000 bushels of wheat, and 100,000 bushels of barley. The people of Ammon also paid this to him in the second and third years.
Isaiah, Hosea and Micah all prophesied during the life and times of Jotham. Jotham's name is mentioned in Isaiah 1:1, 7:1, Amos 1:1 and Micah 1:1. Some of Micah's prophesy was directed towards Judah, confronting God's people for their idolatry.
Many instructive lessons may be gleaned from the brief record of Jotham, King of Judah. Before he came to the throne, on the judgment which befell his father in consequence of his wicked intrusion into the holy place to burn incense, he had governed the land (chap. 26:21); but the divine estimate of his character and reign refers to him after his father's death. As the anointed king, he was held more directly responsible to God, both for his own individual state, and for that of his people and kingdom. It is everywhere a principle in Scripture that the more exalted the position, the greater the responsibility, that, in the Lord's own words, to whom much is given, of him much is required.
The first thing mentioned of Jotham is that "he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah did." It is good to notice, before examining the force of this statement, the plain indication here given of parental influence, and, on the other hand, of filial reverence for, and imitation of, his father's example. It is very blessed to see, although all is of grace, the piety of parents reproduced in their children, and when it is the case, it is a striking testimony to God's blessing having been bestowed upon the home training.
Acknowledging this, we may yet inquire what is exactly meant by Jotham's walking in his father's steps. It signifies, we judge, that it was good as far as it went, but that it was not piety, nor obedience, of the highest kind. Both of Hezekiah and Josiah, it is said that David their father was their model. (See chaps. 29:2; 34:2.) David was the man after God's own heart; Uzziah was not, and to remember this, is to see the difference. It is the oft-repeated truth, that to see what God's mind is, we must go back to the beginning. Jotham, therefore, should have considered the example of David, if he desired to obtain the full favour of God. Even believers now fall into the same mistake when they make their parents' walk, or indeed the walk of some other Christians whom they specially admire, their standard, instead of the walk of the only perfect Example. (See 1 John 2:6.) Let us heed the lesson.
What we have pointed out will explain Jotham's next feature. It is said, "Howbeit he entered not into the temple of the Lord." We do not read that his father did, except on the sad occasion of his unholy and presumptuous transgression. It may, therefore, have been that Jotham was also in this, his father's imitator; and the effect on his mind of the terrible chastisement his father received, might have had some influence in keeping him out of his privileges. Cases are not unknown, even in this day, where the maintenance of the holiness of God's house has led the relatives of the subjects of the discipline to withdraw from the place where the Lord manifests Himself in the midst of His gathered saints.
Be this as it may, Jotham was not a worshipper, and thus he did not meet the mind of the Lord. Worship, according to the revelation of that day, was the special characteristic of David, as his Psalms again and again testify. He even desired to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple. And nothing short of this satisfies the heart of God, even as the Lord taught the woman of Samaria. "The hour cometh," He said, "and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." (John 4:23.) The object of His blessed, seeking grace, is not realised unless He has His redeemed children around Him as His worshippers. It is plain, therefore, that the Spirit of God marks it as a failure that Jotham entered not into the temple of the Lord. If so, is there no admonition for us through Jotham? Alas! how many professors, and among them some real Christians, are not worshippers; they have no thought of entering into the holiest, according to the teaching of Heb. 10; and to them the language of Peter, concerning believers as living stones, as being built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ, is well-nigh unintelligible. May this word respecting Judah's king exercise us all in the presence of God.
Connected with this feature is added, "And the people did yet corruptly." If we turn to the account in 2 Kings, we shall learn the nature of their evil practices. It says, "Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places" (chap. 15:35), and an exactly similar statement is made of the state of things in his father's reign. (v. 4.) May there not be a connection between Jotham's not being a worshipper, and the idolatrous practices of the people? For if Jehovah had occupied His due place in his heart, it would have been an intolerable grief to him to witness such flagrant disobedience and rebellion. How different was the conduct of his grandson, Hezekiah. He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them; and then, when he had caused the Levites to sanctify themselves, and the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and when everything was duly ordered, together with the celebration of the passover, we read that, "all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all." (Chap. 31:1.) All this was but the moral consequence of recognizing the claims of God's holiness in His house. Beginning there, as Hezekiah did, in the first circle of his responsibility, he could not but maintain the honour of the name of his God in every other sphere, even to the uttermost circumference of his obligations. This explains much in a day of laxity like the present. If we, as Christians, are not right with God in the assembly, we shall assuredly fail to maintain His authority in our homes, and to walk before Him in our daily lives.
The example of Jotham would also tell upon the people. As the anointed king he was under the responsibility of knowing the Lord's mind. (Deut. 17:18-20); and of walking according to it, so that he might lead the people in the way of God's commandments. The loftier the position, the greater the influence; and hence Jotham's neglect of the temple could not but fail to open the door to the corruptions which the Spirit of God has indicated. As we read in the Proverbs, "A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes." (Chap. 20:8.) Jotham's failure was thus a fruitful source of evil in his kingdom.
Notwithstanding his failure, however, Jotham exhibited much activity and victorious power in conflict with enemies. As a builder he excelled, following in this, also, in the footsteps of his father. Whether this was done to secure the Lord's inheritance, or to promote his own might and glory in his kingdom is not revealed. There are servants in this day who labour much, and zealously, in caring, or seeming to care, for the Lord's interests; and, even though their motives may be mixed, in desiring to advance what they have especially at heart, as well as to commend the name of Christ, the Lord can use them for the good of His people. They seek to guard the people of God from the incursion of the enemy, and are foremost in drawing the sword in defence of the truth they have received; and yet they have never themselves entered upon the enjoyment of their highest privileges. They serve without, but they have not learned what it is to worship in the holiest. In the book of Revelation, we read that the seven angels "stood before God" waiting for their service (chap. 8:2); and surely this is a pattern for all who would serve acceptably. It was in this very thing, we judge, that Jotham failed.
In verse 9 we have a kind of summary: "So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God." At first sight, this might appear to contradict what has been said. So far from this, it simply gives the principle on which God could bless him, and bestow upon him the prosperity and success which he enjoyed. It is in fact an illustration of the word, "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." And governmentally, it is strikingly exhibited in the whole history of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, that God ever prospered the monarchs who recognised, even outwardly only, His word, name, and authority. He has said, "Them that honour Me, I will honour," and this is verified even where the honour rendered may not proceed from a renewed soul. It is so in all dispensations. For example, if God be honoured in a household, if His name be called upon, He will in His government on earth bless that household; and so, in like manner, when affairs of daily life and business are conducted with the recognition of His name. But this is not salvation; it is temporal mercies according to the principles of God's government. (Compare 1 Peter 3:10-13.) Jotham thus prepared his ways before the Lord, and became mighty. Whether there was a work of God in his soul is not here the question. There may have been; and if so, he had blessings of another and a larger kind as his portion. But, whether so or otherwise, there is much profitable instruction for us all in this feature. Jotham prepared his ways before the Lord; there was forethought, consideration, and purpose. He was not governed by circumstances; but he carefully arranged his paths according to the will of God.
If, therefore, his failures constitute a warning for us, some of his characteristics become an example. May we heed both alike, as we ponder his history, remembering with gratitude, at the same time, that we have a perfect example vouchsafed to us in the pathway of our blessed Lord and Saviour. And it is written, "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked."
Biblical References of King Jotham:
2 Chronicles 27: 1, 2 Background information about King Jotham.
2 Chronicles 27: 3 – 5 Outlines King Jotham’s building projects and some of his battles.
2 Chronicles 27: 6 King Jotham becomes powerful because he obeys the Lord.
2 Chronciles 27: 8, 9 Gives information about the death of King Jotham.
2 Kings 15: 34, 35 King Jotham pleased the Lord but he did not completely destroy the pagan places of worship in Judah.
was twenty years old when he succeeded his father Jotham to the throne of Judea. He was a weak and idolatrous king. He even made his son walk through the fire of Moloch, aping the abominable custom of the Phoenicians. Another son, Hezekiah, who was to become king after Ahaz, was saved from the flames of the idol by his mother.
Soon great troubles and misfortunes befell the land and the king. The Edomites revolted, and even made a successful invasion of Judah, carrying off many captives. Then the Philistines also broke into some western districts of the land which they annexed to their own territory. Finally, Rezin, the king of Syria, who had Joined forces with King Pekah of Israel while Jotham was yet alive, marched on Judea together with his associate.
Ahaz suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Pekah. Many people of Judea were killed and numerous prisoners were brought to Samaria. The prophet Obed went to meet the victorious army of Pekah and said: "Because G-d was angry with Judah, He gave her into your hands. You have slain many in cruel rage; the rest you want to force into your service as man and maid-servants. Thus you bring guilt upon yourself. Return the captives of your brethren, that G-d's wrath may not come upon you." Some of the leaders of Israel supported this plea of the prophet, and the captives were freed. They were fed and dressed and were transported back to their families in Judea.
Rezin, too, came away with spoils. Though Jerusalem had withstood the siege of the united armies, Rezin captured the important harbor of Elath and exiled its Jewish inhabitants. In their stead he brought in Syrian colonists.
Ahaz found himself hard-pressed by the united armies of Pekah and Rezin. The position of Jerusalem seemed very precarious. The Prophet Isaiah tried his best to encourage Ahaz and assure him that G-d would save the city from the hands of the enemies. But Ahaz had no trust in G-d. He sent a delegation of noblemen to Tiglath-Pileser, the powerful king of Assyria, with presents of gold and silver taken from the treasures of the Temple and his own palace. Ahaz instructed his envoys to hand over these presents to the king of Assyria with the following words: "I am your servant and son. Save me from the hands of the kings of Syria and Israel who have gone to war against me."
Tiglath-Pileser was only too glad to take this opportunity to subdue these two states and gain an outlet to the sea. He marched on Damascus and thus forced Rezin of Syria to abandon the siege of Jerusalem. Rezin himself was captured and killed by the Assyrians. At that time Syria was incorporated into the Assyrian empire and at the same time Tiglath-Pileser also annexed part of the land of Israel.
Ahaz Desecrates the Temple
Delivered from his enemies, Ahaz traveled to Damascus to thank his liberator and patron, the victorious Tiglath-Pileser. He was accorded the usual courtesy, but he was made aware of his status of dependence. In Damascus Ahaz saw a famous heathen altar which he admired so much that he had it copied and sent to Jerusalem to the High Priest Uriah, with the command to put it up in the Holy Temple. After his return from Damascus, he himself sacrificed on this altar, and forced the priests to offer the daily sacrifices on it.
In order to satisfy the greed of Tiglath-Pileser, Ahaz continually despoiled of its treasures the Temple, which had been enriched during Uzziah's and Jotham's successful reigns.
Ahaz died in the sixteenth year of his most unfortunate rule. Both politically and spiritually he had been instrumental in undermining the foundations of the kingdom of Judea. Heaven, too, did its share to spoil the last honors accorded him. On the day of his death, the sun shone for only two hours, so that his burial had to be rushed through. He was not buried with the other kings of the House of David.
There is rarely a father and son of so great a contrast as Ahaz and Hezekiah. Both were Kings of Judah, but there, I’m afraid, the similarities end. It makes an interesting study to examine the godliness of Hezekiah against the backdrop of his wicked father King Ahaz. This study will examine the character of King Ahaz. In him we see the attitude and actions of a man far from the Lord. He is the darkness before the dawn you might say. While most of the study will be from 2nd Chronicles chapter 28, we will also look briefly at 2 Kings 16 for some additional information concerning Ahaz.
Ahaz – Does it come any more rotten than this?
2 Chron 28:1-4 Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and also made cast idols for worshiping the Baals. He burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, following the detestable ways of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree.
The Bible doesn’t muck around does it? Within one verse of introducing us to this new king we are taken straight into the depths of his unfaithfulness. I have added these verses above so that we can quickly see what the word of God records concerning Ahaz, King of Judah. In short, he’s a shocker. He worshipped and gave offerings to the Baals and even sacrificed his own son in the fire to appease these so called ‘gods’. Like I said, he’s a nasty piece of work.
2 Chron 28:5,17-19 Therefore the LORD his God handed him over to the king of Aram... The Edomites had again come and attacked Judah and carried away prisoners, while the Philistines had raided towns in the foothills and in the Negev of Judah… The LORD had humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had promoted wickedness in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the LORD.
So what was the result for our not so godly King Ahaz? Well, in the language of the New Testament, he ‘reaped what he sowed.’ The Lord allowed many nations to attack and humble Judah because of Ahaz’ wickedness. The NASB says that he ‘brought about a lack of restraint in Judah’. In other words, he moved away from the truth of Gods word to whatever felt good! I guess I’m being repetitious, but I think I should mention again that like Ahaz, the Christian church in the west is moving away from the truth given in God’s word. How can this not also lead to a ‘lack of restraint and faithfulness’?
Ahaz – following the ways of the world
2 Kings 16:7-11 Ahaz sent messengers to say to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are attacking me.” And Ahaz took the silver and gold found in the temple of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria… Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. He saw an altar in Damascus and sent to Uriah the priest a sketch of the altar, with detailed plans for its construction. So Uriah the priest built an altar in accordance with all the plans that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus and finished it before King Ahaz returned.
Part of the story we now pick up from 2 Kings chapter 16. With enemies all around him, Ahaz cries out to the King of Assyria saying ‘I am your servant… come and save me! And did I mention that I’ll give you a big bag of gold as well?’ Oh, Ahaz! To cry for help is fine, but why didn’t you direct your question to the Lord? The Lord Jesus deserves, and has purchased, the right to be number one in our lives. It is to Him that we are to look.[1]
Notice also that King Ahaz eventually went to Damascus to meet the King of Assyria and in doing so, started to copy their altars! He made Uriah his priest copy the plans and reconstruct the altar back in the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem! Talk about using the ways of the world in the worship of God! God had already given the children of Israel complete and explicit instructions on how these things should be made and how worship of the true God should be undertaken… and correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think it included copying the worldly worship of false gods![2] But as we shall now see, Ahaz being of noble character (not!) had little problem with taking on the ways of the world.
Ahaz – the ultimate pragmatist!
2 Chron 28:20-23 Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him, but he gave him trouble instead of help… In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD. He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him; for he thought, “Since the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me.” But they were his downfall and the downfall of all Israel.
It wasn’t long before even the King of Assyria was against King Ahaz. It was a pivotal point in Ahaz’ life for we read that ‘In his time of trouble…’ Wouldn’t it be good if we could finish the sentence? What would you expect, and like to read about this man who has blatantly walked away from the Lord and is found reaping the consequences of his foolish sowing? Well, it would be nice to read that in the time of his trouble Ahaz called on the Lord and repented. It would be nice… but, unfortunately, this isn’t a soppy novel. Trouble often has the effect of pushing a person further from, or further toward, the Lord[3]. In this case Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord!
There is another point here as the true character of Ahaz is again seen in his act of worshipping the gods of Damascus. In other words, Ahaz was the ultimate pragmatist![4] Ahaz didn’t care about truth. He didn’t seem to care whether the God of Israel was the one true God. He only seemed to care about ‘what worked’. If the gods of Damascus helped the king of Assyria then the gods of Damascus were now his gods! We see this same pragmatic approach alive today in many different forms.[5]
So what was the result of all this? Did Ahaz’ worldliness and pragmatic approach help him? We read the solemn closing words in the passage above that ‘they were his downfall and the downfall of all Israel.’ Sad words indeed. Not just for Ahaz and Israel but also for the church that follows his ways.
The shutting of the temple
2 Chron 28:25 Ahaz gathered together the utensils of the house of God and cut the utensils in pieces; He shut the doors of the LORD’s temple and set up altars at every street corner in Jerusalem. In every town in Judah he built high places to burn sacrifices to other gods and provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers, to anger.
Finally we see the actions of Ahaz in cutting up the temple utensils and locking the doors so that no one can worship the true God. He also set up his own altars at every street corner throughout Jerusalem. In all of this, the bible says, he provoked the Lord to anger. Now, does any of this have relevance for us? In what ways are the doors of the church locked? Unfortunately, while the physical doors of our churches may be open, there are still some which are closed spiritually. Laodicea, the last church pictured in the book of Revelation is an example of this. Here we see a church that has closed its doors and had left Jesus outside! (See Rev 3:20). The ‘doors of the temple’ are still shut on any church which does not preach salvation by grace through faith[6]. If this true gospel, which exalts the Lord Jesus Christ and His work on our behalf, is not being heard, then you still have Ahaz at work! He is still shutting the temple, preventing true worship of God and substituting it with his own altars.
Conclusion
2 Chron 28:27 Ahaz rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of Jerusalem, but he was not placed in the tombs of the kings of Israel. And Hezekiah his son succeeded him as king.
The Bible concludes this chapter with a word about Ahaz’ death, mentioning that they buried him in the city and not in the tombs of the Kings of Israel. Fair enough too! He deserves no better. As dark as this period has been however, it is, as I’m sure you will recall, the darkness before the dawn. For to be fair, Ahaz did give one good thing to the world and that (somehow!) is his godly son Hezekiah. Hezekiah is the shining light of revival that we shall examine in the next study.
Son of King Jotham. His reign is memorable as that in which Judah first became vassal to Assyria, and Assyrian (Babylonian) modes of worship were first introduced into the official worship at Jerusalem. The Hebrew authorities know only the form of his name given above, but the Assyrians called him Yauḥazi (= Jehoahaz: "Whom YHWH has held fast"); the former name being a contraction of the latter, like Nathan for Elnathan or Jonathan. Immediately upon his accession Ahaz had to meet a combination formed by northern Israel, under Pekah, and Damascus (Syria), under Rezin. These kings apparently wished to compel him to join them in opposing the Assyrians, who were arming a force against Syria and Palestine under the great Tiglath-Pileser III. (Pul). To protect himself he called in the aid of the Assyrians. Through their interference, and as a result of their invasion and subjection of the kingdom of Damascus and of Palestine outside of Judah, Ahaz was relieved of his troublesome neighbors; but his protector henceforth claimed and held suzerainty over his kingdom. This war of invasion lasted two years (734-732 B.C.), and ended in the capture and annexation of Damascus to Assyria and of the territory of Israel north of the border of Jezreel. Ahaz in the meanwhile furnished auxiliaries to Tiglath-Pileser. This appeal to Assyria met with stern opposition from the prophet Isaiah, who counseled Ahaz to rely upon the Lord and not upon outside aid. The sequel seemed to justify the king and to condemn the prophet. Ahaz, during his whole reign, was free from troubles with which the neighboring rulers were harassed, who from time to time revolted against Assyria. Thus it was that, in 722, Samaria was taken and northern Israel wholly incorporated into the Assyrian empire. But what was externally a blessing proved to be inwardly a curse. Ahaz, who was irresolute and impressible, yielded readily to the glamour and prestige of the Assyrians in religion as well as in politics. In 732 he went to Damascus to swear homage to Tiglath-Pileser and his gods; and, taking a fancy to an altar which he saw there, he had one like it made in Jerusalem, which, with a corresponding change in ritual, he made a permanent feature of the Temple worship. Changes were also made in the arrangements and furniture of the Temple, "because of the king of Assyria" (II Kings, xvi. 18). Furthermore, Ahaz fitted up an astrological observatory with accompanying sacrifices, after the fashion of the ruling people. In other ways Ahaz lowered the character of the national worship. It is recorded that he even offered his son by fire to Moloch. His government must be considered, on the whole, disastrous to his country, especially in its religious aspects; and a large part of the reforming work of his son Hezekiah aimed at undoing the evil that Ahaz had wrought.
Jotham's son, Ahaz, reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. Unlike his father, he did not do what was right but imitated the ways of the kings of Israel, making images for Baal worship. He sacrificed some of his children in the fires of Molech and was involved in Baal worship and Asherah rituals, leading people into forbidden idolatry at the high places and the groves.
Rezin, the king of Syria and Pekah, the king of Israel, both came and attacked Ahaz and Jerusalem. Rezin captured the city of Elath and took many Judeans as captives to Damascus. Pekah killed 120,000 in Judah in one day, “because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers.” The army of Israel took captive from Judah 200,000 women, sons, and daughters, stole their wealth and brought it all to Samaria. The prophet, Oded, went out before the returning army and confronted them.
“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. 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? 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.”
Some of the leaders of Ephraim, Azariah, Berechiah, Jehizkiah and Amasa also chastised the men in Israel's army. “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.” They left the captives and everything they had stolen before the leaders, who arranged to provide clothing for all of them, including sandals, food and drink, then escorted them back to people waiting for them in Jericho.
Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser, the king of Assyria, requesting his assistance in defeating the Syrians and Israelites. Ahaz took the silver and gold from the temple and the treasures of the king's house. He then sent it as a present to the Assyrian king. So the king of Assyria attacked Damascus and took captives, and killed Rezin, Syria's king.
A grateful King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser. There he saw an altar and was so impressed that he sent the design of the altar and all the details of its construction to Urijah, the priest. Obediently, Urijah built the altar before Ahaz returned from Damascus. When Ahaz returned and saw the altar, he was ecstatic, and in the following days began to make offerings on it: burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offering and peace offerings. He brought the bronze altar from the front of the temple, and put it near his new altar. Ahaz ordered Urijah to burn all offerings on the new altar, morning, and evening, and Urijah did everything Ahaz demanded. This activity brought more of God's anger upon Ahaz and Judah.
The Edomites then attacked Judah and carried away captives. The Philistines invaded the cities of the lowland and south of Judah, seized several cities and occupied them. The Lord brought Judah to its knees because of Ahaz, for he had been continually unfaithful to the Lord and promoted moral decline in Judah. Ahaz again requested for the king of Assyria to help him, but this time he would not assist him. Ahaz took more of the treasures from the temple, some of his own money and even raised money from his own leadership, and he gave it to Tiglath-Pileser, but to no avail.
Instead of seeking the Lord in this time of distress, Ahaz sinned even more. 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.” Ahaz destroyed items in the temple, finally closing the doors of the house of the Lord, and he made altars in every corner of Jerusalem. In every single city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and antagonized the Lord God beyond conciliation.
When Ahaz died, he was buried in the city, but not in the tombs of the kings. He died at the age of 35, after 16 wretched years. The only good that ever came from Ahaz was his son, the next king of Judah, Hezekiah. (2 Kings 16:1-20; 2 Chronicles 28:1-27; Isaiah 7:1-25)
Hezekiah's Piety
The twelfth king of Judea, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, was a man of extraordinary qualities and piety. He had truly been a comfort to the suffering people even while his godless father was yet on the throne. The prophets who had condemned Ahaz and his clique of notables pointed to Hezekiah as the savior of the people and of G-d's religion, at a time when Judea had sunk to the bottom of political and spiritual depravity.
Indeed, as soon as Hezekiah had ascended to the throne, he dedicated himself to a complete reversal of the policies of his father. He not only destroyed the numerous idols which disgraced his kingdom, but he also cut down the groves of idolatry which had been spared even by some of his pious predecessors. This and many similar acts helped Hezekiah succeed in his untiring efforts to eliminate idolatry to a degree which even his pious ancestors Asa and Jehoshaphat had never attained.
Hezekiah did all he could to reinstate the pure worship of G-d. He organized instruction in the laws of the Torah throughout the country, and he restored the daily services of the Holy Temple in all its splendor. The regular pilgrimages of the Jewish people to Jerusalem, commanded by G-d, had been stopped during the years of misery and oppression under Ahaz. Hezekiah was eager to renew these pilgrimages to the Temple three times a year, as prescribed by the Torah, and he succeeded in doing so.
The Temple itself was thoroughly cleansed and renovated; and its old glory impressed the people when they came to Jerusalem to bring their offerings to G-d. Hezekiah, moreover, organized a magnificent celebration of the Feast of Passover in Jerusalem. For this occasion he sent invitations not only to all parts of his own land but also to the inhabitants of the northern kingdom. He asked them to take part in the great festival and make it an occasion to return to G-d. But only a few followed his call. Those who came were inspired by the ceremonies of Hezekiah's holy Passover celebration and his sincere sermons. They stayed in Judea and helped strengthen the land.
Political Strength
As soon as Hezekiah felt that his war against idolatry had been won, he turned his attention to the reorganization of the army and the reconstruction of the fortifications that had been torn down by various enemies during Ahaz' weak reign. With his well equipped and thoroughly trained army, Hezekiah set out to recover the provinces that had been lost and to punish the less formidable neighbors who had harrowed the people of Judea. He defeated the army of the Philistines and took their stronghold Gaza. The other neighbors were intimidated into voluntary submission.
But while Hezekiah was thus succeeding in restoring the political and spiritual power of his land, the neighboring kingdom of Israel was going completely to pieces, and the rest of its residents were being led into captivity or killed. The cruelties of the Assyrian conquerors opened the eyes of the people of Judea to the contrast of their own good fortune. They clung to G-d even more ardently in order not to draw guilt upon themselves and suffer the fate of their brothers.
The prophet Isaiah strengthened Hezekiah with the Divine assurance that no nation would be able to do harm to the land as long as the people went with G-d. He even suggested to Hezekiah that Judea should completely throw off the yoke of Assyria which it had suffered since King Ahaz' unfortunate reign by having to pay regular tribute in recognition of Assyrian supremacy. Hezekiah's faith in G-d's help was so great that he did not doubt the prophet's word that even Assyria, then the greatest and mightiest military power, would be unable to punish Judea for her defiance; and he made definite plans to stop the tribute payments, and to prepare against the certain attack.
Conspiracy against Assyria
But while Hezekiah's own plans were exclusively based upon faith and confidence in G-d's help, some of his counselors, at their head his chancellor Shebna, tried to utilize the situation in order to strengthen their own prestige and interests. They, too, planned to rebel against Assyria, but rather on the basis of political considerations, instead of the authorization of G-d's word. Their intention was to join the slowly crystallizing forces of resistance against Assyria, centering around Kush, Babylonia, Egypt, and other idolatrous nations.
Sennaherib's Punitory Expedition
Sennaherib, the king of Assyria, soon learned of the revolution brewing among his subjugated and rival nations. In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah's reign, he set out with a large army to punish each rebellious nation separately.
Sennaherib's troops poured into Judea and captured a few cities. Egypt and Babylon did not rush to Judea's aid, and Hezekiah found himself in a hopeless position facing the overwhelming invasion of the mighty Assyrian army. Under the circumstances, Hezekiah begged Sennaherib for a peace treaty. Sennaherib, greedy for treasure, exacted a considerable quantity of gold and silver as his price for the withdrawal of his troops. To comply with this demand, Hezekiah was compelled to despoil his own palace and the Holy Temple.
However, Hezekiah understood very well that Sennaherib would not rest till Judea was completely destroyed like her brother nation, the Kingdom of Israel. He therefore began to strengthen and fortify the entire country. The male population was mobilized and trained. Jerusalem was well stocked with provisions, and its walls and fortifications greatly strengthened. Moreover, all the food and water-wells outside of Jerusalem were destroyed in order to deprive the enemy of supplies.
ezekiah was 25 years old when he became king of Judah. He was a good king and did the things that God says are right just like his ancestor, King David did. He took away all the shrines and places of worship of the false gods that people had been worshiping. He trusted in the Lord so much so that there was no other king like him either before or after his time. He held on tight to the Lord and never stopped following Him and doing His commands. God was with Hezekiah and caused him to be successful everywhere he went.
Now, fourteen years after Hezekiah became king, an enemy king named Sennacherib came against Judah. Sennacherib demanded that Hezekiah pay him 11 tons of silver and 1 ton of gold. To get that much, Hezekiah had to take all the silver from the temple of the Lord and take all the gold off the doors. Even after Hezekiah paid him, Sennacherib sent one of his chief officers to give Hezekiah and the people of Judah this message:
“What are you trusting in that makes you so confident? Do you think that mere words can help you in war? Are you trusting in Egypt? Egypt is unreliable! Or are you trusting in the Lord? Do not let Hezekiah trick you into trusting the Lord by saying, ‘The Lord will surely save us and Sennacherib will not defeat us!’ Do not listen to your, king but instead, come and make peace with me and I will take you to a better land. Do not listen to Hezekiah when he says, ‘God will save us!’ Every country we have taken over had their own god, but none of them were able to save them. What makes you think your God can deliver you out of my hand?”
Nobody answered the officer because Hezekiah told them not to. They went back to Hezekiah and told them all the things that the enemy said.
As soon as Hezekiah heard about it he went into the temple of God and mourned. Then he sent some people to Isaiah the prophet. They told Isaiah everything that happened. Then Isaiah answered, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid. I will make Sennacherib go back to his own land and there he will die.’”
After this, the chief officer went back to talk with Sennacherib. There was a battle happening in another place and the enemy king decided to go back to his land but first sent the chief officer back to Hezekiah with another message. This time the message was:
“Do not let your God who you trust trick you by promising that your land will not be given to Sennacherib. You have heard how we have destroyed all the lands around you and none of their gods were able to help.”
When Hezekiah heard this message he went in to the temple again and placed the message before the Lord and prayed: “O Lord God, you are God alone of all the kingdoms of the earth. It is you who made the heavens and the earth. Open your ears to hear our prayer, O Lord, and open your eyes to see what Sennacherib has said to us mocking you! It is true that they destroyed the gods of those other nations because they were not gods at all but mere statues that were made by men. So now, Lord, save us please! Save us so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, and you alone, are God!”
Then Isaiah sent a message to Hezekiah to tell him that God heard his prayer. God said, “I will defend your city and I will save it for the sake of your ancestor, King David.”
That very night, the angel of the Lord went out and killed 185,000 people of Sennacherib’s army. Sennacherib went back to his home and while he was worshiping his god, his own sons killed him.
Around this time Hezekiah got sick and was going to die. Isaiah the prophet came to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Get ready, for it is time for you to die. You will not recover from this sickness.” But Hezekiah said, “O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you and been faithful with my whole heart and have done what is good in your sight!” Then Hezekiah wept and cried. Before Isaiah left, while he was leaving, the Lord told him to go back to Hezekiah and say, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you and add 15 years to your life and continue to keep you safe from your enemies.”
Soon after this, the king of Babylon sent messengers with letters and presents for Hezekiah since he knew that Hezekiah had been sick. And Hezekiah welcomed them and showed them all the treasure in his house–all the silver, all the gold, all the spices, oils, and storehouses. There was not anything that Hezekiah did not show to them. But afterward, Isaiah the prophet came to Hezekiah and said, “What did those men want? Where did they come from?” And Hezekiah said, “They came all the way from Babylon!” Isaiah asked, “What did they see in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen everything. There is not anything that I did not show to them.”
Then Isaiah said, “Hear what God has to say: ‘The time is coming when everything you own and all that your ancestors have stored up until now will be carried away to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. And some of your own sons will be taken away and made personal slaves to the king of Babylon.” Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What God says is good.” Hezekiah was thinking, “At least there will be peace while I am alive.”
Psalms 20:6-7
“Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
Psalms 62:8
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”
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