◄ 2 Kings 16:9 ►
So the king of Assyria responded to him, marched up to Damascus, and captured it. He took its people to Kir as captives and put Rezin to death.
Study Bible
So the king of Assyria responded to him
This phrase refers to Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria, who reigned from 745 to 727 BC. His response was to Ahaz, the king of Judah, who sought Assyrian assistance against the coalition of Rezin, king of Aram, and Pekah, king of Israel. This reflects the political dynamics of the time, where smaller nations often sought alliances with powerful empires for protection. The Assyrian Empire was known for its military prowess and expansionist policies, which often involved responding to requests for aid in exchange for vassalage or tribute.

marched up to Damascus, and captured it
Damascus was the capital of Aram (Syria) and a significant city in the ancient Near East. The capture of Damascus by Assyria marked a pivotal moment in the region's history, as it demonstrated Assyria's dominance and the weakening of Aram. This event fulfilled the prophecy found in Isaiah 7:16, where it was foretold that the land of the two kings Ahaz dreaded would be laid waste. The capture of Damascus also had significant implications for the balance of power in the region, as it removed a key player from the anti-Assyrian coalition.

He took its people to Kir as captives
The deportation of the people of Damascus to Kir reflects the Assyrian policy of mass deportations, which aimed to prevent rebellion by displacing conquered peoples. Kir is mentioned in Amos 1:5 as a place associated with Aram, suggesting it was a region under Assyrian control where the Arameans were resettled. This practice of deportation was intended to integrate conquered peoples into the Assyrian Empire and reduce the likelihood of uprisings by breaking their connection to their homeland.

and put Rezin to death
Rezin was the last king of Aram, and his death marked the end of Aramean independence. The execution of Rezin by the Assyrians was a common practice for dealing with defeated kings, serving as a warning to others who might oppose Assyrian rule. This act also fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 7:1-9, where it was foretold that Rezin's plans against Judah would not succeed. The death of Rezin and the fall of Damascus underscored the futility of opposing the Assyrian Empire and highlighted the consequences of political alliances that went against God's will for His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King of Assyria
The ruler of the Assyrian Empire, a dominant power in the ancient Near East, known for its military prowess and expansionist policies.

2. Damascus
The capital city of Aram (modern-day Syria), a significant political and trade center in the ancient world.

3. Rezin
The king of Aram (Syria) who opposed the kingdom of Judah and was ultimately defeated and killed by the Assyrians.

4. Kir
A location to which the inhabitants of Damascus were exiled. Its exact location is uncertain, but it is mentioned in other biblical texts as a place of exile.

5. Exile
The forced removal and relocation of a population, often used as a tool of control by conquering empires like Assyria.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The events in 2 Kings 16:9 demonstrate God's control over the rise and fall of nations. Despite human alliances and conflicts, God's purposes prevail.

Consequences of Disobedience
The downfall of Damascus and the death of Rezin serve as a reminder of the consequences of opposing God's will and aligning against His chosen people.

The Reality of Judgment
The exile of the people of Damascus to Kir underscores the reality of divine judgment. It serves as a warning to remain faithful and obedient to God.

Trust in God's Promises
In the face of political turmoil and threats, believers are encouraged to trust in God's promises and His ultimate plan for deliverance, as seen in the broader account of Isaiah 7.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Assyria's conquest of Damascus in 2 Kings 16:9 illustrate the theme of God's sovereignty over nations?

2. In what ways does the fate of Rezin and the people of Damascus serve as a warning for us today regarding disobedience to God?

3. How can the prophecy in Isaiah 7 about Immanuel provide comfort and assurance in times of political or personal uncertainty?

4. What lessons can we learn from the Assyrian exile of Damascus about the consequences of aligning against God's people?

5. How does the broader context of Assyrian expansion in 2 Kings 15:29 and 16:9 help us understand the historical and spiritual significance of these events?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 7
This chapter provides context for the political alliances and conflicts involving Rezin, the king of Aram, and Pekah, the king of Israel, against Judah. It highlights the prophecy of Immanuel as a sign of God's presence and deliverance.

Amos 1:5
This verse prophesies the downfall of Damascus and the exile of its people to Kir, showing the fulfillment of God's judgment against the city.

2 Kings 15:29
This passage describes the Assyrian conquest of parts of Israel, illustrating the broader context of Assyrian expansion and dominance in the region.
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-Syro-Israelitish WarJ. 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
Asshur, Assyria, Attacking, Captive, Captured, Capturing, Carried, Carrying, Complied, Damascus, Death, Deported, Exile, Hearken, Hearkened, Inhabitants, Killed, Kir, Listened, Marched, Prisoners, Removeth, Request, Rezin, Seizeth, Slew
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 16:1-20

     5366   king

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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