References for King Ahaz are: 2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 16, and Isaiah 7:1-12. Isaiah 14:28 is the year he died, and Isa 57:3 – 13 describe the actions of Ahaz. To get a good portrait of him you need to consider all of the references together, as each adds something special to the study.

Who He Was

Ahaz is the son of Jotham and the grandson of Uzziah, and the father of Hezekiah. He is also the king who made many bad choices. In a time of trouble, he turned to the gods of Damascus and then to Assyria for help. Because of the king of Assyria, he changed the temple and the worship of God.

The Enemies Ahaz Dealt With

• Edom – 2 Chronicles 28:16-18 and 2 Kings 16:6 speak of troubles with Edom/Esau/Amalekites. (Boundaries changed over the years and so did population sizes.) They were joined by the Philistines and Aram/Samaria in reducing Judah because Ahaz did not choose the Lord. The Book of Amos has things to say about Edom in this time period. This unrest started in the womb and can still be seen in the Book of Esther, and in King Herod’s rule. See Hosea 11:12-12:6.
• Assyria – This enemy had been around for a while, as King Ahab was the first Hebrew king to fight them, at Qarqar. They deported Israel, twice, and took part of Judah into captivity. The important note with Ahaz is he wanted help from Assyria. See Hosea 5:13.
• Samaria – Pekah son of Remaliah (Israel) and Aram/Damascus – Rezin. Their conflicts is Ahaz’s story in 2 Chronicles 28 and 2 Kings 16. Isaiah 7 through 10 adds the final note to them and Assyria. Remaliah | The amazing name Remaliah: meaning and etymology
• Ahaz – He had a battle with his history and chose the wrong side. I wonder when Isaiah 7:10 happened? Was it before he followed his non-David side and threw off all of the things of God?  

2 Kings 16:2 Ahaz was 25 when he started to rule for 16 years, that makes him 41 at his death.  2 Kings 18:2 Hezekiah was 25 when he started ruling. 41-25 = 16 years old when Ahaz fathered Hezekiah, he had been a father for 9 years when he became king. Customs, social norms, and political pressures may account for this, or he may have just been an out-of-control royal.  

A Contrast – Kings and Chronicles verses Isaiah. History verses God’s prospective. Isaiah, Hosea, and the minor prophets through Zephaniah covers the years of Assyria’s assault and the moral decline of Israel and Judah. In those Books during that time, judgment is pronounced but in all of that is also the Lord offering a better way and promises of His righteousness and redemption. An example is Isaiah 7 – 10, in these chapters is promises of the Messiah.

Ahaz let Assyria direct his spiritual life. It seems Abijah, Hezekiah’s mother, a daughter of Zion, was better and directed Hezekiah to the Lord.