2 Kings16
English Standard Version
Tap any underlined word for the original Hebrew or Greek.
1 In the of the of , the of , of , began to .
2 was when he began to , and he in . And he do what was in the of the Lord his , as his had done,
3 but he in the of the of . He his as an offering, according to the of the the Lord drove the of .
4 And he and on the on the and .
5 of and the of , of , to wage on , and they but him.
6 At that the of for and the men of , and the to , they .
7 So to of , , am your and your . and me the of the of and the of the of , who are .
8 also the and that was in the of the Lord and in the of the and a to the of .
9 And the of to him. The of against and it, carrying its to , and he .
10 When to to of , he the was at . And to the a of the , and its , exact in its .
11 And the the ; in accordance with that had , so the it, .
12 And when the , the the . Then the drew to the and on
13 and his and his and his and the of his the .
14 And the was the Lord he the of the , the place his of the Lord, and it the of his .
15 And the , , the the and the and the and his , with the of the of the , and their and their . And it the of the and the of the , but the shall be for me to by.
16 the this, .
17 And the of the and the , and he took the the were it and it a .
18 And the for the had been inside the and the for the he caused to go the of the Lord, of the of .
19 of the of he , are they the of the of the of ?
20 And his and was his in the of , and his in his .
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2 Kings 16Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Kings 16. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Ahaz, king of Judah, His wicked reign. (1–9). Ahaz takes a pattern from an idol's altar. (10–16). Ahaz spoils the temple. (17–20).
vv1-9
Few and evil were the days of Ahaz. Those whose hearts condemn them, will go any where in a day of distress, rather than to God. The sin was its own punishment. It is common for those who bring themselves into straits by one sin, to try to help themselves out by another.
vv10-16
God's altar had hitherto been kept in its place, and in use; but Ahaz put another in the room of it. The natural regard of the mind of man to some sort of religion, is not easily extinguished; but except it be regulated by the word, and by the Spirit of God, it produces absurd superstitions, or detestable idolatries. Or, at best, it quiets the sinner's conscience with unmeaning ceremonies. Infidels have often been remarkable for believing ridiculous falsehoods.
vv17-20
Ahaz put contempt upon the sabbath, and thus opened a wide inlet to all manner of sin. This he did for the king of Assyria. When those who have had a ready passage to the house of the Lord, turn it another way to please their neighbours, they are going down-hill apace to ruin.
Key Words
שָׁנֶה: a year (as a revolution of time)
פֶּקַח: Pekach, an Israelite king
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
רְמַלְיָהוּ: Remaljah, an Israelite
אָחָז: Achaz, the name of a Jewish king and of an Israelite
יוֹתָם: Jotham, the name of three Israelites
מֶלֶךְ: a king
יְהוּדָה: Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
מָלַךְ: to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel
עֶשְׂרִים: twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
Cross References
2 Kings 16Parallel account of Ahaz's accession, age, and initial plunge into Canaanite and Israelite idolatry.
Supported by JFB
The exact historical and prophetic context of Syria and Israel's joint siege of Jerusalem under Ahaz.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Directly prophesied the capture of Damascus and the exile of its people to Kir.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Explains Ahaz's motivation: sacrificing to Damascus's gods, thinking they would help him.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies the sacrificial site (Topheth/Moloch) where children were made to pass through the fire.
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The Mosaic law explicitly forbidding offering children to Moloch, which Ahaz violated.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Deuteronomic prohibition against making sons or daughters pass through the fire.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Uriah the priest as a contemporary witness utilized by the prophet Isaiah.
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Connects Elath's loss back to its original recovery and building by Azariah.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Locates Elath near Ezion-geber on the Red Sea shore, showing its commercial importance.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Shows that Tiglath-pileser ultimately distressed Ahaz instead of helping or strengthening him.
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Contrasts God's authorized, divinely revealed temple plans with Ahaz's self-styled pagan copy.
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Further details of Ahaz cutting up the temple vessels and shutting its doors.
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Describes the original design of the bronze bases and sea that Ahaz dismantled.
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Confirms that passing through the fire meant sacrificing sons and daughters to devils.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB