Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 16
In the history of Israel, Aram (also called Syria) was usually the enemy of northern and central Israel. However, when Assyria became powerful, the kings of these two nations decided to support each other in war. They then decided to attack Judah together. They wanted to share its wealth, and to appoint someone who supported them as its new king (Isaiah 7:5-6).
King Ahaz of Judah was a very evil man who served false gods. For that reason, God permitted his enemies to defeat him in war (2 Chronicles 28:5 and 28:19). God wanted to show him and his people that his behaviour was wrong. Ahaz was praying to false gods in the belief that they would increase his power. However, he in fact suffered terrible losses.
In a single battle, about a third of Judah’s soldiers died (2 Chronicles 28:6). The army of northern and central Israel took a vast number of women and children from Judah – however, they permitted them to return home (2 Chronicles 28:8-15). Ahaz’s son and some of his most important officials had died (2 Chronicles 28:7).
Other enemies of Judah saw this as an opportunity to attack Judah, including Philistia and Edom (2 Chronicles 28:17-18). Edom had the support of Aram, and it was able to regain the port town called Elath. This was the town where Solomon had gained great wealth by trade (1 Kings 9:26-28). It had been back in Judah’s possession since the time of Ahaz’s grandfather Azariah, also called Uzziah (14:21-22).
Then, the armies of Aram and of northern and central Israel tried to attack Jerusalem. However, they failed to overcome it (Isaiah chapter 7).
Next part: Ahaz puts his trust in the king of Assyria (2 Kings 16:7-9)
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