Topical Bible: Alliances: Ahaz and Tiglath

◄ Alliances: Ahaz and Tiglath ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The alliance between King Ahaz of Judah and Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria, is a significant event in the history of the Israelite kingdoms, illustrating the complexities of political and spiritual decisions faced by the leaders of God's chosen people. This alliance is primarily documented in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, providing insight into the geopolitical and religious dynamics of the 8th century BC.

Historical Context

During the reign of Ahaz, the kingdom of Judah faced a formidable threat from the Syro-Ephraimite coalition. This alliance consisted of Rezin, king of Aram (Syria), and Pekah, son of Remaliah, king of Israel. Their objective was to pressure Judah into joining their coalition against the rising power of Assyria. When Ahaz refused, they sought to dethrone him and install a puppet king who would comply with their plans (2 Kings 16:5-6; Isaiah 7:1-2).

The Alliance with Assyria

In response to the threat posed by Rezin and Pekah, Ahaz sought assistance from Tiglath-Pileser III, the powerful king of Assyria. This decision is recorded in 2 Kings 16:7-8: "So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, saying, 'I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hand of the king of Aram and the king of Israel, who are rising up against me.' Ahaz also took the silver and gold found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria."

Ahaz's appeal to Assyria marked a significant departure from reliance on the LORD for deliverance. Instead, he placed his trust in a foreign power, compromising the spiritual integrity of his kingdom. Tiglath-Pileser responded by attacking Damascus, capturing it, and killing Rezin (2 Kings 16:9). This action temporarily relieved the pressure on Judah but came at a high cost.

Religious and Political Implications

The alliance with Assyria had profound religious implications for Judah. Ahaz's decision to seek help from a pagan king demonstrated a lack of faith in God's promises and protection. The prophet Isaiah had offered Ahaz a sign from the LORD as assurance of divine deliverance (Isaiah 7:10-14), but Ahaz refused, choosing instead to rely on Assyrian might.

Moreover, Ahaz's alliance with Assyria led to the introduction of Assyrian religious practices in Judah. He visited Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser and was impressed by an altar he saw there. Upon his return, he ordered a replica of the altar to be built in Jerusalem, replacing the bronze altar of the LORD (2 Kings 16:10-16). This act of syncretism further eroded the distinctiveness of Judah's worship and violated the covenantal relationship with God.

Consequences

The alliance with Tiglath-Pileser III brought temporary military relief but resulted in long-term subjugation and tribute obligations to Assyria. Judah became a vassal state, losing its political autonomy and bearing the burden of heavy taxation. Spiritually, the alliance marked a period of decline, as Ahaz's actions led the people further away from the worship of Yahweh.

The account of Ahaz and Tiglath-Pileser serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of forsaking divine guidance for political expediency. It underscores the importance of faithfulness to God and reliance on His promises, even in the face of overwhelming threats.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 16:7,8
So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I am your servant and your son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.
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2 Chronicles 28:16,21
At that time did king Ahaz send to the kings of Assyria to help him.
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Library

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... Early campaigns of Tiglath-pileser III. ... against the Medes"Invasion of Urartu and
end of its supremacy"Alliance of Pekah and Rezin against Ahaz: the war in ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Nations of the North-East
... the sacred blood of the Pharaohs became contaminated by these foreign alliances. ...
Ahaz of Judah turned in his despair to the Assyrians, who ... Tiglath-pileser III. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iv the nations of.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... to the constant contraction of such alliances through several ... destruction in the
time of Tiglath-pileser III ... Ahaz, while all the neighbouring states were in ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... on the throne, he endeavoured to form alliances with all ... His father Ahaz had been
far from orthodox, in ... During his visit to Tiglath-pileser at Damascus (729 BC ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... the Peris of our fairy tales, mingled familiarly with mankind before the time of
the prophet, and contracted with them fruitful alliances, but Zoroaster broke ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... place in the same region, under Tiglath-pileser III ... for all idolatrous worship and
for all foreign alliances. ... The valley of Hinnom, where Ahaz had already burnt ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm