2 Kings 16:18 Study Bible: The covered way for the Sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry outside, turned he to the house of the LORD, because of the king of Assyria.

◄ 2 Kings 16:18 ►

And on account of the king of Assyria, he removed the Sabbath canopy they had built in the temple and closed the royal entryway outside the house of the LORD.

Study Bible

And on account of the king of Assyria
This phrase indicates the political pressure and influence exerted by the Assyrian empire over Judah during the reign of King Ahaz. The Assyrians were a dominant power in the region, and Ahaz sought their favor and protection against threats from neighboring kingdoms. This reliance on Assyria reflects a lack of trust in God’s protection and a departure from the covenantal faithfulness expected of the kings of Judah.

he removed the Sabbath canopy they had built in the temple
The Sabbath canopy likely refers to a structure or covering associated with the observance of the Sabbath, possibly used for ceremonial purposes. Its removal signifies a disregard for the sanctity of the Sabbath and the temple, which were central to Israelite worship and identity. This action demonstrates Ahaz's willingness to compromise religious practices to appease foreign powers, contrasting with the reforms of later kings like Hezekiah and Josiah who sought to restore proper worship.

and closed the royal entryway outside the house of the LORD
Closing the royal entryway suggests a significant alteration to the temple complex, possibly to prevent access or to repurpose the area for Assyrian interests. This act symbolizes the encroachment of foreign influence into the sacred spaces of Judah, highlighting the spiritual decline under Ahaz’s leadership. It also reflects a broader theme in the Old Testament of the struggle between faithfulness to God and the temptation to conform to surrounding cultures and political pressures.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ahaz
The king of Judah who reigned during this time. Known for his unfaithfulness to God, he made significant changes to the temple to appease the king of Assyria.

2. The Temple
The sacred place in Jerusalem where the Israelites worshiped God. Ahaz altered its structure, which was a significant deviation from its intended purpose.

3. The King of Assyria
The foreign ruler to whom Ahaz showed deference, indicating a political alliance that compromised Judah's religious integrity.

4. Sabbath Canopy
A structure associated with the temple, possibly used for ceremonial purposes on the Sabbath, which Ahaz removed.

5. Royal Entryway
A significant architectural feature of the temple, symbolizing the connection between the monarchy and the worship of God, which Ahaz also removed.

Teaching Points

The Danger of Compromise
Ahaz's actions demonstrate the spiritual dangers of compromising faith for political or personal gain. Believers are called to remain steadfast in their devotion to God, even when pressured by external influences.

The Importance of Sacred Spaces
The removal of the Sabbath canopy and the royal entryway signifies a disregard for the sanctity of worship. Christians should honor and preserve the sacredness of their worship practices and spaces.

Leadership and Influence
Ahaz's decisions had far-reaching consequences for the nation of Judah. Leaders, whether in the church or community, must recognize the impact of their actions on those they lead.

Faithfulness to God's Commands
The alterations to the temple highlight a departure from God's instructions. Believers are reminded to adhere to God's Word and resist altering it to fit cultural or societal trends.

Trust in God Over Political Alliances
Ahaz's reliance on Assyria rather than God serves as a cautionary tale. Christians are encouraged to place their trust in God rather than worldly powers or alliances.

Bible Study Questions

1. What motivated Ahaz to make changes to the temple, and how can we guard against similar compromises in our own faith journey?

2. How does the removal of the Sabbath canopy reflect Ahaz's spiritual state, and what does this teach us about the importance of maintaining our spiritual disciplines?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our places of worship remain sacred and set apart for God?

4. How can we apply the lessons from Ahaz's leadership to our roles in our families, churches, or communities?

5. What are some modern-day "kings of Assyria" that might tempt us to compromise our faith, and how can we resist these pressures?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Chronicles 28
Provides a parallel account of Ahaz's reign, detailing his idolatry and the consequences for Judah.

Isaiah 7
Offers insight into the political and spiritual climate during Ahaz's reign, including the prophet Isaiah's interactions with him.

Exodus 20:8-11
The commandment to keep the Sabbath holy, highlighting the significance of the Sabbath canopy that Ahaz removed.

1 Kings 12:25-33
Jeroboam's alterations to worship practices, drawing a parallel to Ahaz's changes to the temple.

Matthew 6:24
Jesus' teaching on serving two masters, relevant to Ahaz's divided loyalties between God and the king of Assyria.

Sermons

A People's King and Priest, or Kinghood and Priesthood	David Thomas, D. D.	2 Kings 16:1-20
A People's King and Priest; Or, Kinghood and Priesthood	D. Thomas	2 Kings 16:1-20
Steps in a Downward Path: the Reign of Ahaz	C.H. Irwin	2 Kings 16:1-20
Religious Innovations	J. 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

Account, Asshur, Assyria, Built, Canopy, Covered, Covert, Deference, Entrance, Entry, Entryway, Inside, King's, Outer, Outside, Palace, Removed, Royal, Sabbath, Temple

Dictionary of Bible Themes

2 Kings 16:1-20

5366 king

2 Kings 16:7-18

5305 empires

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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