2 Kings

2 Kings 16: Ahaz trusts Assyria

Begin in prayer

Before we read about King Ahaz and the altar in Jerusalem, let us bow before the Lord together. Ask Him to show us where our trust belongs, and to show us Jesus, who alone can save.

Our fathers trusted in you. They trusted, and you delivered them.

Psalm 22:4

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You alone are able to save, and that trusting other powers brings no rescue. Help us to trust You, and to know Jesus, the Savior. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Ahaz becomes king of Judah at twenty, and he does not do what is right in the LORD's eyes, as David did. He sacrifices in the high places and under every green tree, and he even burns his son in the fire, as the nations did. Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel attack Jerusalem, but they cannot overcome him. Ahaz sends silver and gold from the LORD's house to Tiglath-pileser of Assyria and asks him to come and save him. In Damascus, Ahaz sees an altar and orders Urijah the priest to build one like it. He uses the new altar for his own offerings, and he moves the LORD's bronze altar to the side. Ahaz dies, and his son Hezekiah reigns in his place.

As you read 2 Kings 16, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

Ahaz looked to Assyria's king to save him, and he did not do right in the LORD's eyes.

Ahaz became king at twenty and did not do right in the LORD's eyes, as David had (verses 1 and 2). He followed the kings of Israel and the ways of the nations the LORD had driven out (verse 3). Syria and Israel attacked Jerusalem and could not overcome him (verse 5). Ahaz sent word to Assyria's king, calling himself his servant and son, and asking him to save him (verse 7). He paid for this help with silver and gold from the LORD's house (verse 8). Assyria did go up against Damascus and killed Rezin (verse 9). Yet it distressed Ahaz and did not strengthen him (2 Chronicles 28 verse 20). Ahaz saw an altar in Damascus, had a copy built, and moved the LORD's bronze altar aside (verses 10 to 14). The chapter does not say that the LORD acted, but it shows a king who looked to a foreign king for rescue.

How does 2 Kings 16 show us that Ahaz looked to Assyria's king to save him, and did not do right in the LORD's eyes?

Ahaz asks a foreign king for help.

Ahaz sent a message to the king of Assyria, asking him to come and save him (verse 7). He gave him the silver and gold from the LORD's house as a present (verse 8). Assyria went up against Damascus (verse 9), yet it distressed Ahaz and did not strengthen him (2 Chronicles 28 verse 20).

Ahaz changes the LORD's altar.

Ahaz saw an altar in Damascus and had Urijah the priest build one like it (verses 10 and 11). He offered sacrifices on it himself (verses 12 and 13). He moved the LORD's bronze altar to the side (verse 14). The LORD's house was changed to please a foreign king (verses 17 and 18).

Ahaz calls himself the servant of Assyria's king.

Ahaz sent word to Tiglath Pileser, “I am your servant and your son” (verse 7). He gave himself to a man, when he should have trusted the LORD his God (verse 2). A king of Judah was meant to serve the LORD alone. Jesus said that no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6 verse 24).

Memorise

He didn’t do that which was right in Yahweh his God’s eyes, like David his father.

2 Kings 16:2

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where do I turn for help when I am afraid?

Ahaz sent a message to the king of Assyria, “Come up and save me.” The king of Assyria did go up against Damascus, but Ahaz was not looking to the LORD for rescue. Jesus is the Savior whom the LORD sent, and He is the only way to the Father.

Sin makes every person look to other helpers, and no earthly king can save a soul. Jesus died on the cross in His people's place. That one sacrifice was once for all. He rose from the dead, and He is able to save those who come to God through Him.

So turn from your sin and look to Jesus alone for rescue. He is the way to the Father (John 14 verse 6), and forgiveness is given to everyone who trusts Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Ahaz trusted a king of Assyria instead of the LORD, and that only the LORD can save. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Parents, you may want to explain verses 3 and 4 in your own words, without details. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He alone is able to save, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.

Psalm 138:3

Father, thank You that You alone are able to save. Thank You for Jesus, the way to You, who died for sinners and rose again. Grant every child grace to turn from sin and trust Jesus. Help us to turn to You in every fear this week. Amen.