◄ 2 Kings 16:12 ►
When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it.
Study Bible
When the king came back from Damascus
This phrase refers to King Ahaz of Judah, who traveled to Damascus to meet with Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria. This journey signifies a political alliance and submission to Assyria, which was a dominant power at the time. Damascus was the capital of Aram, a region that had been conquered by Assyria. Ahaz's visit indicates his reliance on foreign powers rather than trusting in God, contrasting with the faithfulness expected of a king of Judah.

and saw the altar
Ahaz saw an altar in Damascus that impressed him, leading him to replicate it in Jerusalem. This altar was likely associated with Assyrian or Aramean religious practices, which were contrary to the worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Mosaic Law. The introduction of a foreign altar into the temple precincts represents a significant departure from the religious traditions of Israel, highlighting Ahaz's syncretism and disregard for the covenantal laws.

he approached it
Ahaz's approach to the altar signifies his personal involvement and endorsement of this new form of worship. This act symbolizes a shift in religious practices and priorities, as the king himself leads the nation in adopting foreign rituals. It reflects a broader theme in the Old Testament of leaders influencing the spiritual direction of the people, often leading them away from true worship.

and presented offerings on it
By presenting offerings on the altar, Ahaz actively participates in a form of worship that is not sanctioned by God. This act of offering sacrifices on a foreign altar is a direct violation of the commands given to Israel regarding worship and sacrifices, which were to be conducted at the altar in the temple as prescribed by God. This action can be seen as a type of idolatry, drawing parallels to other instances in Scripture where leaders led the people into false worship, such as Jeroboam's golden calves (1 Kings 12:28-30). It underscores the theme of covenant unfaithfulness and the consequences that follow, as seen throughout the prophetic literature.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Ahaz
The king of Judah who reigned during a time of spiritual decline. He is known for his unfaithfulness to God, including adopting pagan practices.

2. Damascus
The capital of Aram (modern-day Syria), where King Ahaz visited and saw an altar that he desired to replicate in Jerusalem.

3. The Altar
A significant object in this passage, representing Ahaz's departure from traditional worship of Yahweh to adopt foreign religious practices.

4. Urijah the Priest
The priest who constructed the altar in Jerusalem according to the design sent by King Ahaz from Damascus.

5. Offerings
The sacrifices made by Ahaz on the new altar, symbolizing his shift in allegiance from God to foreign deities.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Compromise
Ahaz's actions demonstrate the spiritual peril of compromising God's commands for cultural or political gain. Believers are called to remain steadfast in their faith, resisting the temptation to conform to worldly practices.

The Importance of Faithful Worship
True worship is defined by adherence to God's instructions. Ahaz's unauthorized altar serves as a warning against altering worship to suit personal preferences or societal trends.

Leadership and Influence
Leaders have a profound impact on the spiritual direction of their people. Ahaz's unfaithfulness led Judah into deeper idolatry, reminding us of the responsibility leaders bear to guide others toward God.

Consequences of Idolatry
Ahaz's idolatry brought about negative consequences for Judah, illustrating the broader biblical principle that turning away from God leads to spiritual and often physical decline.
Bible Study Questions
1. What motivated King Ahaz to replicate the altar he saw in Damascus, and how can we guard against similar influences in our lives today?

2. How does Ahaz's decision to offer sacrifices on the new altar reflect a departure from God's commands, and what can this teach us about the importance of obedience in worship?

3. In what ways can leaders today ensure they are guiding their communities in accordance with biblical principles rather than cultural trends?

4. How does the account of Ahaz's reign in 2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28 illustrate the consequences of idolatry, and what lessons can we draw for our personal spiritual walk?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced pressure to conform to societal norms that conflicted with your faith. How did you respond, and what biblical principles can help you remain faithful in similar situations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Chronicles 28
Provides a parallel account of King Ahaz's reign, detailing his idolatry and the consequences for Judah.

Leviticus 17
Discusses the proper place and manner for sacrifices, highlighting the deviation of Ahaz's actions from God's commands.

Exodus 20:3-5
The Ten Commandments, which include prohibitions against idolatry, directly contrast with Ahaz's actions.

Isaiah 7
The prophet Isaiah's interactions with Ahaz, offering insight into the spiritual climate of Judah during his reign.
Sermons
A People's King and Priest, or Kinghood and PriesthoodDavid Thomas, D. D.2 Kings 16:1-20
A People's King and Priest; Or, Kinghood and PriesthoodD. Thomas 2 Kings 16:1-20
Steps in a Downward Path: the Reign of AhazC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 16:1-20
The Altar to Inquire ByD. Davies.2 Kings 16:10-15
The Cosmopolitan in ReligionC. Brown.2 Kings 16:10-15
Using God for EmergenciesW. Aikman, D. D.2 Kings 16:10-15
Religious InnovationsJ. Orr 2 Kings 16:10-20
People
Ahaz, Aram, David, Edomites, Hezekiah, Israelites, Jotham, Pekah, Remaliah, Rezin, Syrians, Tiglathpileser, Uriah, Urijah
Places
Assyria, Damascus, Elath, Jerusalem, Kir, Syria
Topics
Altar, Approached, Damascus, Draweth, Drew, Offered, Offereth, Offering, Offerings, Presented, Thereon, Viewed
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 16:1-20

     5366   king

2 Kings 16:7-18

     5305   empires

2 Kings 16:10-13

     7471   temples, heathen

2 Kings 16:10-16

     5811   compromise
     7245   Judah, kingdom of

Library
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 Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his Adherents, in this Respect, in Tyrannically Oppressing and Destroying Souls.
1. The power of the Church in enacting laws. This made a source of human traditions. Impiety of these traditions. 2. Many of the Papistical traditions not only difficult, but impossible to be observed. 3. That the question may be more conveniently explained, nature of conscience must be defined. 4. Definition of conscience explained. Examples in illustration of the definition. 5. Paul's doctrine of submission to magistrates for conscience sake, gives no countenance to the Popish doctrine of the obligation …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

That Upon the Conquest and Slaughter of vitellius Vespasian Hastened his Journey to Rome; but Titus his Son Returned to Jerusalem.
1. And now, when Vespasian had given answers to the embassages, and had disposed of the places of power justly, [25] and according to every one's deserts, he came to Antioch, and consulting which way he had best take, he preferred to go for Rome, rather than to march to Alexandria, because he saw that Alexandria was sure to him already, but that the affairs at Rome were put into disorder by Vitellius; so he sent Mucianus to Italy, and committed a considerable army both of horsemen and footmen to …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

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

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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