2 Kings 16:8 Study Bible: Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.

◄ 2 Kings 16:8 ►

Ahaz also took the silver and gold found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king's palace, and he sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria.

Study Bible

Ahaz also took the silver and gold found in the house of the LORD
Ahaz, the king of Judah, is noted for his unfaithfulness to God, as he sought alliances with foreign powers rather than relying on the LORD. The silver and gold in the house of the LORD were sacred, dedicated to God, and intended for worship and the maintenance of the temple. By taking these treasures, Ahaz demonstrated a lack of reverence for the sanctity of the temple and a willingness to compromise his faith for political gain. This act can be contrasted with the actions of faithful kings like Hezekiah, who sought to restore and honor the temple (2 Kings 18:4-6).

and in the treasuries of the king’s palace
The treasuries of the king's palace were meant for the prosperity and security of the nation. By depleting these resources, Ahaz was prioritizing immediate political concerns over the long-term welfare of Judah. This reflects a broader theme in the Old Testament where reliance on human strength and alliances often leads to downfall, as seen in Isaiah 31:1, which warns against relying on Egypt for help instead of God.

and he sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria
Ahaz sent these treasures to Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria, seeking his assistance against the threats from Israel and Aram. This act of sending a gift can be seen as a form of tribute or bribe, indicating subservience and a lack of trust in God's protection. Historically, Assyria was a dominant power, and aligning with them was a common political strategy, though it often led to further subjugation. This decision by Ahaz is criticized by prophets like Isaiah, who urged trust in God rather than foreign alliances (Isaiah 7:10-13). Theologically, this act foreshadows the eventual downfall of Judah, as reliance on Assyria would later contribute to its own invasion and exile.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ahaz
The king of Judah who reigned during a time of political turmoil and idolatry. He is known for his unfaithfulness to God and reliance on foreign powers.

2. House of the LORD
Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which was the center of worship for the Israelites and a symbol of God's presence among His people.

3. Treasuries of the Royal Palace
The storage places for the wealth of the kingdom, including silver and gold, which were meant for the prosperity and security of Judah.

4. King of Assyria
The ruler of a powerful empire that was expanding its influence during this period. Ahaz sought his help against his enemies, demonstrating a lack of trust in God.

5. Gift to the King of Assyria
Ahaz's act of sending treasures from the temple and palace to Assyria, symbolizing his reliance on human alliances rather than divine protection.

Teaching Points

Misplaced Trust
Ahaz's actions demonstrate the danger of placing trust in human power rather than in God. Believers are called to rely on God's strength and provision.

Consequences of Disobedience
Ahaz's decision to strip the temple of its treasures for political gain shows the spiritual decline that results from disobedience to God's commands.

The Role of Wealth
The use of temple and palace treasures for political purposes highlights the importance of using resources for God's glory rather than personal or political gain.

Faith in Crisis
In times of crisis, believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance and trust in His promises rather than turning to worldly solutions.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does Ahaz's decision to send treasures to the king of Assyria reveal about his faith and priorities?

2. How does Ahaz's reliance on Assyria contrast with the biblical call to trust in God alone? Can you think of other biblical figures who faced similar choices?

3. In what ways can modern believers be tempted to place their trust in "Assyrias" of today, and how can we guard against this?

4. How does the stripping of the temple's treasures for political purposes reflect on the spiritual state of Judah? What lessons can we learn about the use of resources in our own lives?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a crisis. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Ahaz's example to apply in future situations?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Chronicles 28
Provides a parallel account of Ahaz's reign, highlighting his idolatry and the consequences of his actions.

Isaiah 7
The prophet Isaiah's interactions with Ahaz, offering him a sign from God, which Ahaz rejects, choosing instead to trust in Assyria.

Deuteronomy 17:14-20
God's instructions for kings, emphasizing reliance on Him rather than accumulating wealth or forming alliances with foreign powers.

Psalm 20:7
A reminder that trust should be placed in the name of the LORD rather than in chariots and horses, or in this case, foreign alliances.

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
The-Syro-Israelitish War	J. Orr	2 Kings 16:5-9

People

Ahaz, Aram, David, Edomites, Hezekiah, Israelites, Jotham, Pekah, Remaliah, Rezin, Syrians, Tiglathpileser, Uriah, Urijah

Places

Assyria, Damascus, Elath, Jerusalem, Kir, Syria

Topics

Ahaz, Asshur, Assyria, Bribe, Gift, Gold, King's, Offering, Palace, Present, Royal, Silver, Store-house, Taketh, Temple, Treasures, Treasuries

Dictionary of Bible Themes

2 Kings 16:8

     4363   silver
     5325   gifts
     7245   Judah, kingdom of

2 Kings 16:1-20

5366 king

2 Kings 16:7-8

5437 palaces

2 Kings 16:7-9

4333 gold
5238 bribery

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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