2 Kings 16:20
And Ahaz rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David, and his son Hezekiah reigned in his place.
And Ahaz rested with his fathers
This phrase indicates the death of King Ahaz, who was the 12th king of Judah. The expression "rested with his fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for death, suggesting a joining with ancestors in the afterlife. Ahaz's reign was marked by idolatry and alliances with foreign powers, which were contrary to God's commands. His death signifies the end of a tumultuous period for Judah, characterized by spiritual decline and political instability.

and was buried with them in the City of David
The City of David refers to Jerusalem, specifically the area that was the original settlement of King David. Being buried in the City of David was an honor, indicating royal status and lineage. However, 2 Chronicles 28:27 notes that Ahaz was not buried in the tombs of the kings, suggesting a lack of honor due to his unfaithfulness to God. This burial location underscores the importance of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Judah.

and his son Hezekiah reigned in his place
Hezekiah's ascension to the throne marks a significant turning point for Judah. Unlike his father, Hezekiah is remembered as a righteous king who sought to restore the worship of Yahweh and purify the temple (2 Kings 18:1-6). His reign is characterized by religious reforms and a return to covenant faithfulness. Hezekiah's leadership is often seen as a foreshadowing of Christ, as he acts as a savior figure for Judah, delivering them from Assyrian threats and leading a spiritual revival.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ahaz
The king of Judah who is known for his unfaithfulness to God, including idolatry and making alliances with foreign powers.

2. Hezekiah
The son of Ahaz, who succeeded him as king. He is noted for his faithfulness to God and significant religious reforms.

3. City of David
A term often used to refer to Jerusalem, specifically the area where King David established his rule and where the kings of Judah were buried.

4. Rested with his fathers
A phrase indicating that Ahaz died and was buried in the traditional burial place of the kings of Judah.

5. Reigned in his place
Refers to the transition of power from Ahaz to his son Hezekiah, marking a significant shift in the spiritual direction of Judah.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Unfaithfulness
Ahaz's reign serves as a warning about the dangers of turning away from God and relying on worldly alliances.

The Hope of Renewal
Hezekiah's succession represents the possibility of renewal and reform, even after a period of spiritual decline.

The Importance of Legacy
The transition from Ahaz to Hezekiah highlights the impact of a leader's faithfulness (or lack thereof) on future generations.

God's Sovereignty in Leadership
Despite Ahaz's failures, God's plan continued through Hezekiah, demonstrating His control over history.

The Role of Burial Practices
The mention of burial in the City of David underscores the cultural and spiritual significance of honoring past leaders, even those who were unfaithful.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the reign of Ahaz illustrate the consequences of turning away from God, and what can we learn from his mistakes?

2. In what ways did Hezekiah's leadership differ from that of his father, and how can we apply these differences to our own lives?

3. How does the burial of Ahaz in the City of David reflect the cultural and spiritual values of ancient Judah?

4. What does the transition from Ahaz to Hezekiah teach us about God's ability to bring renewal and reform after a period of decline?

5. How can the genealogy of Jesus, which includes both Ahaz and Hezekiah, encourage us about God's redemptive plan through imperfect people?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Chronicles 28
Provides a detailed account of Ahaz's reign, highlighting his idolatry and the consequences for Judah.

2 Kings 18
Describes the reign of Hezekiah, emphasizing his reforms and return to the worship of Yahweh.

Isaiah 7
Offers insight into the political and spiritual challenges during Ahaz's reign, including the prophecy of Immanuel.

Matthew 1:9-10
Lists Ahaz and Hezekiah in the genealogy of Jesus, showing the continuity of God's plan through flawed human leaders.
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
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
Ahaz, Buried, David, Fathers, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Lieth, Reign, Reigned, Rest, Rested, Slept, Stead, Succeeded, Town
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 16:20

     5535   sleep, and death

2 Kings 16:1-20

     5366   king

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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