Study Desk

Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what pleased the Lord , in contrast to his ancestor David.

He offered sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and passed his sons through the fire, a horrible sin practiced by the nations whom the Lord drove out before the Israelites.

The Lord his God handed him over to the king of Syria. The Syrians defeated him and deported many captives to Damascus. He was also handed over to the king of Israel, who thoroughly defeated him.

During his time of trouble King Ahaz was even more unfaithful to the Lord .

In every city throughout Judah he set up high places to offer sacrifices to other gods. He angered the Lord God of his ancestors.

The rest of the events of Ahaz's reign, including his accomplishments from start to finish, are recorded in the Scroll of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

Ahaz passed away and was buried in the City of David; they did not bring him to the tombs of the kings of Israel. His son Hezekiah replaced him as king.

Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.

He did what the Lord approved, just as his ancestor David had done.

In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the Lord 's temple and repaired them.

Now I intend to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, so that he may relent from his raging anger.

My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to serve in his presence and offer sacrifices."

We have prepared and consecrated all the items that King Ahaz removed during his reign when he acted unfaithfully. They are in front of the altar of the Lord ."

King Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the Lord 's temple with cymbals and stringed instruments, just as David, Gad the king's prophet, and Nathan the prophet had ordered. (The Lord had actually given these orders through his prophets.)

The king, his officials, and the entire assembly in Jerusalem decided to observe the Passover in the second month.

Messengers delivered the letters from the king and his officials throughout Israel and Judah. This royal edict read: "O Israelites, return to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so he may return to you who have been spared from the kings of Assyria.

Now, don't be stubborn like your fathers! Submit to the Lord and come to his sanctuary which he has permanently consecrated. Serve the Lord your God so that he might relent from his raging anger.

everyone who has determined to follow God, the Lord God of his ancestors, even if he is not ceremonially clean according to the standards of the temple."

Hezekiah expressed his appreciation to all the Levites, who demonstrated great skill in serving the Lord . They feasted for the seven days of the festival, and were making peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord God of their ancestors.

The priests and Levites got up and pronounced blessings on the people. The Lord responded favorably to them as their prayers reached his holy dwelling place in heaven.