2 Chronicles 28:20

And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.

And Tilgathpilneser {H8407} king {H4428} of Assyria {H804} came {H935} unto him, and distressed {H6696} him, but strengthened {H2388} him not.

Tilgat-Piln'eser king of Ashur attacked and besieged Achaz instead of strengthening him -

Then Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came to Ahaz but afflicted him rather than strengthening him.

And Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.

Commentary

Context

Second Chronicles chapter 28 details the wicked reign of King Ahaz of Judah. Unlike his righteous predecessors, Ahaz walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, engaging in widespread idolatry and even child sacrifice (2 Chronicles 28:3). Facing severe military threats from Aram (Syria) and Israel, Ahaz made a desperate and unholy alliance. Instead of turning to the Lord for deliverance, as his ancestor King Jehoshaphat did in his time of crisis (2 Chronicles 20:12), Ahaz chose to send tribute to Tilgathpilneser, king of Assyria, seeking his help against Judah's enemies. Verse 20 describes the ironic and destructive outcome of this ill-advised political maneuver.

Key Themes

  • The Peril of Misplaced Trust: King Ahaz, in his distress, placed his trust in a powerful human empire rather than in the Almighty God. The verse starkly illustrates that seeking help from worldly powers apart from God's will often leads to further trouble, not true relief or strengthening.
  • Deceptive Alliances: While Tilgathpilneser "came unto him," seemingly offering assistance, the outcome was not genuine strengthening. The Assyrian king exploited Judah's vulnerability, extracting immense tribute and ultimately causing more distress and economic strain. This highlights how alliances based on human expediency, rather than divine guidance, can be self-serving and destructive.
  • Consequences of Unfaithfulness: Ahaz's unfaithfulness to God, marked by his deep idolatry and refusal to seek divine help, directly led to this outcome. The "distress" brought by Assyria was a consequence of his spiritual rebellion, demonstrating God's judgment on those who forsake Him. It underscores the principle that those who sow unrighteousness will reap bitter fruit.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the contrasting verbs "distressed" and "strengthened." The Hebrew word for "distressed" (Χ¦ΦΈΧ¨Φ·Χ¨, tsarar) implies being hemmed in, vexed, or put into a tight spot, often with hostile intent. It speaks of oppression and affliction. In contrast, "strengthened" (Χ—ΦΈΧ–Φ·Χ§, chazaq) means to be firm, strong, or courageous. Ahaz desired to be strengthened and secured by Assyria, but instead, he was further oppressed and weakened. The Assyrian king, rather than being a true ally, became another source of affliction, taking resources and offering no lasting security, thereby weakening Judah's position.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless warning against seeking solutions to life's problems in places other than God. When we face challenges, it's tempting to rely on our own strength, human connections, or worldly systems that promise quick fixes. However, true and lasting help comes from trusting in the Lord with all our heart, as advised in Proverbs 3:5-6. Like Ahaz, we might find that worldly "help" only brings more trouble, debt, or spiritual compromise. The passage encourages believers to examine where they place their ultimate trust and to remember that God alone is our true refuge and strength in times of trouble.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 15:29

    In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

  • 1 Chronicles 5:26

    And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

  • Isaiah 30:16

    But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.

  • Jeremiah 2:37

    Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.

  • Isaiah 30:3

    Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt [your] confusion.

  • Hosea 5:13

    When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah [saw] his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.

  • 2 Kings 17:5

    Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years.
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