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2 Kings 16

2 Kgs 16, 2 Ki 16, 2K 16, II Kgs 16, 2Kgs 16, II Ki 16, 2Ki 16, II Kings 16, 2Kings 16, 2nd Kgs 16, 2nd Kings 16, Second Kings 16, Second Kgs 16, 2Kin 16


2 Kings 16

1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.

2 Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father.

3 But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.

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

5 Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.

6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.

7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.

8 And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.

9 And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.

10 And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.



11 And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus.

12 And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.

13 And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.

14 And he brought also the brazen altar, which was before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar.

15 And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brazen altar shall be for me to enquire by.

16 Thus did Urijah the priest, according to all that king Ahaz commanded.

17 And king Ahaz cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brazen oxen that were under it, and put it upon the pavement of stones.

18 And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.

19 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

20 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.

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Summary and the Meaning of Chapter 16 of 2 Kings in KJV Holy Bible

The book of 2 Kings is the twelfth book of the Old Testament in the KJV Holy Bible. It is a continuation of the historical narrative of the Israelites, starting from the reign of King Solomon and ending with the fall of the kingdom of Judah. Chapter 16 of 2 Kings is a significant chapter in this book as it marks a turning point in the history of the kingdom of Judah. This chapter focuses on the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, his actions, and their consequences on the nation. It also introduces the Assyrian Empire, which plays a crucial role in the downfall of the kingdom of Judah. This essay will provide a summary of chapter 16 of 2 Kings and discuss its main themes and the meaning it brings to the overall narrative of the book.

The Reign of King Ahaz of Judah (2 Kings 16:1-4)

The chapter begins by introducing King Ahaz of Judah, who was the son of King Jotham and the grandson of King Uzziah. He ascended to the throne at the age of twenty and ruled for sixteen years in Jerusalem. Unlike his father and grandfather, Ahaz was an evil king who did not follow the ways of the Lord. He followed the practices of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his own son to a pagan god, causing great outrage among the people of Judah.

Ahaz also made alliances with the kings of Assyria, who were known for their brutal and oppressive rule. He even went as far as to offer them gold and silver from the treasuries of the temple of the Lord to gain their favor. This act not only showed his lack of faith in God but also his disregard for the sanctity of the temple. As a punishment for his actions, the Lord allowed the Assyrian king to defeat and conquer the kingdom of Judah.

The War Between Judah and Israel (2 Kings 16:5-9)

In the following verses, the chapter describes the war between Judah and Israel, which was instigated by King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel. These two kings formed an alliance to fight against Ahaz and his kingdom, but Ahaz sought help from the Assyrian king, Tiglath-Pileser III. As a result, the Assyrian army invaded and conquered the territories of Israel and Syria, causing great devastation and destruction.

Ahaz also took advantage of this situation and attacked the Philistines, who were traditional enemies of the Israelites. He managed to capture several cities, including Gath and Ashdod, which were significant Philistine strongholds. However, this victory was short-lived as the Assyrian king forced Ahaz to return the conquered cities to the Philistines, further weakening the kingdom of Judah.

The Defilement of the Temple (2 Kings 16:10-18)

In the next section, the chapter describes how Ahaz went to Damascus to meet with the Assyrian king. During his visit, he was impressed by an altar he saw in the temple of the Assyrian god, which he believed would bring him good fortune. He sent the design of the altar to the high priest in Jerusalem and ordered him to build a similar one in the temple of the Lord.

This act of defiling the temple of the Lord with a pagan altar was seen as a grave sin by the people of Judah. It not only showed Ahaz's lack of faith but also his willingness to adopt the practices of the Assyrians. As a result, the people of Judah became more rebellious and turned away from God, causing further decline in the kingdom.

The Death of King Ahaz (2 Kings 16:19-20)

The final section of the chapter describes the death of King Ahaz and his burial in Jerusalem. Despite his wicked reign, Ahaz was given a royal burial, which was a customary practice for the kings of Judah. However, he was not buried in the tombs of the kings of Israel, suggesting that he was not considered a righteous king by the people of Judah.

Main Themes of Chapter 16 of 2 Kings

1. The Consequences of Evil and Unfaithfulness

The main theme of this chapter is the consequences of evil and unfaithfulness. King Ahaz's actions, such as sacrificing his own son and making alliances with the Assyrians, showed his lack of faith in God. As a result, the Lord allowed the Assyrians to conquer and oppress the kingdom of Judah, leading to its downfall. This serves as a warning to the readers about the consequences of turning away from God and following the ways of the world.

2. The Influence of Foreign Powers

The chapter also highlights the influence of foreign powers on the kingdom of Judah. Ahaz's alliances with the Assyrians and his adoption of their practices and beliefs had a significant impact on the nation. It not only weakened the kingdom but also led to the defilement of the temple of the Lord. This theme serves as a cautionary tale against relying on foreign powers and adopting their ways, which can have disastrous consequences.

3. The Importance of Faith and Obedience

Despite the downfall of the kingdom of Judah, the chapter also emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience to God. The people of Judah were rebellious and turned away from God, but there were still some who remained faithful, such as the prophet Isaiah. This serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always hope and redemption for those who remain faithful to God.

Meaning of Chapter 16 of 2 Kings

The chapter serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of turning away from God and following the ways of the world. It shows how the actions of one king can have a significant impact on the entire nation. King Ahaz's unfaithfulness and disobedience to God led to the downfall of the kingdom of Judah and the defilement of the temple of the Lord.

Furthermore, the chapter also highlights the importance of faith and obedience to God. Despite the downfall of the kingdom, there were still some who remained faithful, such as the prophet Isaiah. This serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always hope and redemption for those who remain faithful to God.

The chapter also introduces the Assyrian Empire, which plays a crucial role in the downfall of the kingdom of Judah. This sets the stage for the later chapters of 2 Kings, which focus on the Assyrian invasion and the exile of the Israelites. This chapter serves as a crucial turning point in the narrative of the book, highlighting the consequences of unfaithfulness and the importance of remaining steadfast in one's faith in God.

Conclusion

Chapter 16 of 2 Kings is a significant chapter in the book as it marks a turning point in the history of the kingdom of Judah. It focuses on the reign of King Ahaz and his unfaithfulness and disobedience to God, which led to the downfall of the kingdom. The chapter also introduces the Assyrian Empire, which plays a crucial role in the later chapters of the book. Its main themes of the consequences of evil and unfaithfulness, the influence of foreign powers, and the importance of faith and obedience serve as important lessons for the readers. Overall, chapter 16 of 2 Kings serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of remaining faithful to Him.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

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