Ahaz, the son of Jotham, reigned as the king of Judah during a tumultuous period in the 8th century BC. His reign is chronicled in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah, where he is depicted as a ruler who diverged significantly from the religious practices of his predecessors, leading Judah into idolatry and political turmoil.

Reign and Religious Practices

Ahaz ascended to the throne at the age of 20 and reigned for 16 years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:2). Unlike his father Jotham, who "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD" (2 Kings 15:34), Ahaz is noted for his departure from the worship of Yahweh. He is described as having "walked in the ways of the kings of Israel" and even "sacrificed his son in the fire," following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites (2 Kings 16:3).

Ahaz's reign was marked by his introduction of foreign religious customs into Judah. He constructed altars for Baal worship and made offerings on the high places, under every green tree, and on the hills (2 Kings 16:4). His actions were seen as a direct violation of the covenantal laws given to Israel, leading to spiritual and moral decline in the kingdom.

Political Alliances and Conflicts

During Ahaz's reign, Judah faced significant external threats, particularly from the Syro-Ephraimite coalition, which sought to dethrone him and replace him with a puppet king. In response, Ahaz sought assistance from Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria, offering silver and gold from the temple and royal treasury as tribute (2 Kings 16:7-8). This alliance with Assyria, while providing temporary relief, ultimately led to Judah's subjugation and increased Assyrian influence in the region.

The Sundial of Ahaz

One of the most intriguing aspects of Ahaz's legacy is the mention of the "sundial of Ahaz" in the context of a miraculous sign given to his son, Hezekiah. In Isaiah 38:8 , the LORD promises Hezekiah a sign of his recovery from illness: "I will make the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps it has descended on the stairway of Ahaz." This event, which involved the reversal of the sun's shadow, served as a divine confirmation of God's promise to extend Hezekiah's life and deliver Jerusalem from Assyrian threat.

Legacy

Ahaz's reign is often viewed negatively due to his idolatrous practices and reliance on foreign alliances rather than trusting in the LORD. His actions set a precedent that would have lasting consequences for Judah, both spiritually and politically. Despite his failures, the LORD's faithfulness to the Davidic covenant is evident in the preservation of the royal line through his son Hezekiah, who would later lead a significant religious reform in Judah.2 Kings 20:11
And Isaiah the prophet cried to the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.
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Isaiah 38:8
Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.
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Who was King Jotham in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Who was Hezekiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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