◄ 2 Chronicles 28:18 ►
The Philistines had also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah, capturing and occupying Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages.
Study Bible
The Philistines had also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah
The Philistines were long-standing enemies of Israel, often clashing with them throughout the Old Testament. The foothills, or Shephelah, and the Negev are regions in Judah known for their strategic and agricultural importance. The Philistine raids during King Ahaz's reign were part of God's judgment on Judah for its idolatry and unfaithfulness. This reflects the cyclical pattern of sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance seen throughout the history of Israel.

capturing and occupying Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth
Beth-shemesh was a Levitical city, significant in Israel's history, especially in the narrative of the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 6). Aijalon was a city in the tribal territory of Dan, known for its fertile land. Gederoth is less prominent but was part of the lowland cities. The capture of these cities indicates a significant loss for Judah, both strategically and spiritually, as these areas were part of the land given by God to the Israelites.

as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages
Soco and Timnah were also located in the Shephelah, with Soco being known for its role in the battle between David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Timnah was a city associated with Samson's exploits (Judges 14). Gimzo is mentioned only here, indicating its lesser prominence. The mention of "their villages" suggests a comprehensive defeat, affecting not just the main cities but also the surrounding communities, highlighting the extent of Philistine aggression and the vulnerability of Judah during Ahaz's reign.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Philistines
A significant enemy of Israel throughout the Old Testament, known for their conflicts with the Israelites.

2. Foothills and Negev of Judah
Regions in the southern part of the Kingdom of Judah, often vulnerable to attacks due to their geographical location.

3. Beth-shemesh
A city in the territory of Judah, historically significant as a Levitical city.

4. Aijalon
A city in the tribal territory of Dan, often associated with battles against the Philistines.

5. Gederoth, Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo
Other cities in Judah that were captured by the Philistines during this period of weakness in Judah.
Teaching Points
Consequences of Disobedience
The capture of these cities by the Philistines serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. King Ahaz's unfaithfulness led to Judah's vulnerability.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
Even in times of judgment, God remains sovereign. The Philistines' success was not due to their power but was allowed by God as a form of discipline for Judah.

The Importance of Repentance
The historical context encourages believers to examine their own lives for areas of disobedience and to seek repentance to restore their relationship with God.

Community Vulnerability
Just as the cities of Judah were vulnerable due to their geographical location, communities today can be spiritually vulnerable if they are not grounded in faith and obedience to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from the repeated conflicts between the Israelites and the Philistines about the nature of spiritual warfare?

2. How does the capture of these cities reflect the spiritual state of Judah under King Ahaz's reign?

3. In what ways can we identify and fortify areas of spiritual vulnerability in our own lives and communities?

4. How does the account of the Philistines' raids in 2 Chronicles 28:18 connect with the broader biblical theme of God's discipline and mercy?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced consequences due to disobedience. How did that experience lead you to a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and grace?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 17
The account of David and Goliath highlights the ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines, emphasizing the Philistines' role as persistent adversaries.

Judges 13-16
The account of Samson, who fought against the Philistines, provides context for the longstanding enmity between the two groups.

Isaiah 9:12
This verse speaks of the Philistines as adversaries, reinforcing their role as a tool of judgment against Israel when they turned away from God.
Sermons
This is that King AhazT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 28:1-27
An Unfortunate EmbassyT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 28:16, 20, 21
Blow Upon BlowW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 28:17-19
People
Ahaz, Amasa, Aram, Azariah, Azrikam, Ben, Berechiah, David, Edomites, Elkanah, Hadlai, Hezekiah, Israelites, Jehizkiah, Jehohanan, Johanan, Maaseiah, Meshillemoth, Oded, Pekah, Remaliah, Shallum, Tilgathpilneser, Timnah, Zichri
Places
Aijalon, Assyria, Beth-shemesh, Damascus, Gederoth, Gimzo, Jericho, Jerusalem, Negeb, Samaria, Shephelah, Soco, Syria, Timnah, Valley of Hinnom
Topics
Aijalon, Ai'jalon, Ajalon, Beth, Bethshemesh, Beth-shemesh, Beth-she'mesh, Capture, Captured, Cities, Daughter-towns, Dependent, Dwell, Dwelt, Foothills, Forcing, Gederoth, Gede'roth, Gimzo, Guimzo, Invaded, Judah, Low, Lowland, Lowlands, Negeb, Negev, Occupied, Philistines, Raided, Raids, Rushed, Settled, Shemesh, Shephe'lah, Shocho, Socho, Soco, South, Surrounding, Thereof, Timnah, Towns, Villages
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 28:1-27

     5366   king

2 Chronicles 28:16-22

     5811   compromise

2 Chronicles 28:17-18

     7245   Judah, kingdom of

Library
Costly and Fatal Help
'He sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.'--2 CHRON. xxviii. 23. Ahaz came to the throne when a youth of twenty. From the beginning he reversed the policy of his father, and threw himself into the arms of the heathen party. In a comparatively short reign of sixteen years he stamped out the worship of God, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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