2 Chronicles 28:7

KJV

And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah [that was] next to the king.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Zichri {H2147}, a mighty man {H1368} of Ephraim {H669}, slew {H2026} Maaseiah {H4641} the king's {H4428} son {H1121}, and Azrikam {H5840} the governor {H5057} of the house {H1004}, and Elkanah {H511} that was next {H4932} to the king {H4428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And Zikhri, a champion from Efrayim, killed Ma'aseiyah the king's son, 'Azrikam the administrator of the household and Elkanah, who was second only to the king.

Berean Standard Bible

Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the son of the king, Azrikam the governor of the palace, and Elkanah the second to the king.

American Standard Version

And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king’s son, and Azrikam the ruler of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 28:7 records a profoundly devastating moment during the apostate reign of King Ahaz of Judah, detailing the high-profile casualties suffered at the hands of Zichri, a formidable warrior from the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). This tragic event serves as a stark and painful testament to the severe consequences of Ahaz's profound unfaithfulness and the direct divine judgment that relentlessly pursued Judah for its spiritual rebellion, illustrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, even in discipline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the somber narrative of King Ahaz's reign, which the Chronicler unequivocally portrays as one of the most wicked and spiritually destructive in Judah's history, paralleling the account in [2 Kings 16](/2_kings/16 "2 Kings 16 - Ahaz's Wicked Reign"). The preceding verses ([2 Chronicles 28:1-4](/2_chronicles/28-1-4 "2 Chronicles 28:1-4 - Ahaz's Idolatry")) meticulously establish Ahaz's egregious idolatry, including the horrific act of sacrificing his own children to pagan deities and actively promoting widespread pagan worship throughout Judah. As a direct and immediate consequence of this spiritual rebellion, God allowed Judah to be severely afflicted by its neighbors, specifically by the kings of Syria and Israel ([2 Chronicles 28:5-6](/2_chronicles/28-5-6 "2 Chronicles 28:5-6 - Judah's Defeat by Syria and Israel")). Verse 6 describes a massive and brutal slaughter, with 120,000 Judean soldiers killed in a single day, emphasizing the scale of the judgment. Verse 7 then narrows the focus, highlighting the most significant and humiliating casualties—those from the royal household and inner circle—thereby underscoring the depth of the defeat and the personal humiliation inflicted upon King Ahaz. The narrative immediately following ([2 Chronicles 28:8-15](/2_chronicles/28-8-15 "2 Chronicles 28:8-15 - Oded's Rebuke and Release of Captives")) recounts the capture of a vast number of Judeans and the subsequent prophetic intervention of Oded, who rebukes the Israelite army for their excessive cruelty and commands them to release the captives, remarkably underscoring God's compassion and justice even amidst severe judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 2 Chronicles 28:7 unfold during a highly tumultuous period in the history of the divided monarchy, specifically around 735-732 BC. King Ahaz of Judah ruled from Jerusalem, while Pekah reigned in Samaria over the northern kingdom of Israel. The northern kingdom was frequently referred to as Ephraim due to its dominant and most populous tribe. This era was dominated by the burgeoning power of the Assyrian Empire, which exerted immense pressure on the smaller kingdoms of the Levant, forcing them to choose sides or face subjugation. Ahaz, facing a formidable coalition of Syria and Israel (known as the Syro-Ephraimite War), notoriously refused to trust in the Lord for deliverance, instead stripping the temple of its treasures to bribe Assyria for military intervention ([2 Chronicles 28:20-21](/2_chronicles/28-20-21 "2 Chronicles 28:20-21 - Ahaz's Appeal to Assyria")). Culturally, the killing of a king's son and high-ranking officials was far more than a mere military victory; it was a profound act of humiliation, destabilization, and symbolic dismantling of the enemy's leadership, succession, and administrative capacity. The mention of "mighty man" (Hebrew: _gibbôwr_) signifies a warrior of exceptional renown and prowess, emphasizing the formidable nature of the attacking forces and, by extension, the divine power behind their success as instruments of God's righteous judgment against Judah's apostasy.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme permeating this chapter and powerfully highlighted in this verse is **Divine Judgment for Apostasy**. Ahaz's flagrant idolatry, including the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice, and his profound spiritual disobedience directly provoke God's wrath, leading to severe national affliction. The specific mention of high-ranking casualties underscores the **Severity of God's Chastisement**, demonstrating unequivocally that no one, regardless of their position or perceived security, is exempt from the consequences of national and individual sin. This aligns perfectly with the covenant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience"), where disobedience brings military defeat, national humiliation, and the loss of leadership. Another critical theme is the **Consequences of Sin**, illustrating with painful clarity that individual and national unfaithfulness carries dire repercussions, leading to military defeat, significant loss of life, and profound humiliation. The narrative also subtly, yet powerfully, introduces the theme of **God's Sovereignty**, as even the seemingly independent actions of foreign armies are ultimately orchestrated or permitted by God to achieve His righteous purposes, in this case, to discipline and call His wayward people to repentance, even if Ahaz himself refused to heed the call ([2 Chronicles 28:22-23](/2_chronicles/28-22-23 "2 Chronicles 28:22-23 - Ahaz's Continued Idolatry")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zichri (Hebrew, _Zikrî'_):** While not a prominent figure elsewhere in biblical history, Zichri is specifically identified as "a mighty man of Ephraim." His name, meaning "memorable" or "my remembrance," ironically highlights his role in a devastating act that would indeed be remembered as a significant blow to Judah. The Chronicler's decision to name him, rather than offering a general reference to "the Ephraimite army," personalizes the devastating blow and emphasizes the individual instrument of God's judgment. The title "mighty man" (H1368, _gibbôwr_), derived from a root meaning "powerful," denotes a valiant, powerful, or accomplished warrior, emphasizing his prowess and effectiveness in executing the severe judgment against Judah's leadership.
* **son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** This term (H1121, _bên_), derived from a root meaning "to build," refers to a son, often implying a builder of the family name or lineage. In the context of "Maaseiah the king's son," it denotes a royal prince, a direct heir or descendant of the monarch. The death of a king's son, especially in battle or through execution, was a direct and deeply humiliating blow to the royal family and the succession, signifying a profound disruption to the continuity and stability of the Davidic dynasty. It represented a direct assault on the future of the kingdom.
* **governor of the house (Hebrew, _nâgîyd_ H5057 of _bayith_ H1004):** This title, combining "governor" (_nâgîyd_, a commander or chief ruler) with "house" (_bayith_, referring to the royal household or palace), refers to the chief steward or palace administrator. This was a position of immense authority, often second only to the king himself. The "governor of the house" was responsible for managing the royal household, including its finances, personnel, and daily operations. The death of Azrikam, who held this crucial role, signifies a profound disruption and dismantling of the kingdom's administrative and economic stability, striking at the very heart of Judah's governmental structure and operational capacity.
* **next to the king (Hebrew, _mishneh lammalekh'_):** This phrase (H4932, _mishneh_, meaning "a second" or "duplicate," combined with H4428, _melek_, "king") describes Elkanah's position, indicating a chief advisor, a close confidant, or the king's second-in-command, possibly in military or political affairs. This role often involved direct access to the monarch and significant influence on royal decisions and policy. Elkanah's demise underscores the completeness of the defeat, as key pillars of the king's personal and strategic support system were utterly destroyed, leaving Ahaz isolated, vulnerable, and bereft of his most trusted counsel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king's son":** This clause immediately identifies the specific agent of the slaughter, Zichri, a formidable and renowned warrior from the northern kingdom of Israel, often referred to as Ephraim. The first and most shocking casualty named is Maaseiah, "the king's son." This is a deeply personal, symbolic, and humiliating blow to King Ahaz and the Davidic dynasty. The death of a royal prince signifies not only the extent of Judah's military defeat but also a direct assault on the future, continuity, and legitimacy of the royal line, a profound symbol of God's severe judgment on Ahaz's unfaithfulness.
* **"and Azrikam the governor of the house":** The second named casualty is Azrikam, who held the highly influential and critical position of "governor of the house." As the chief steward, Azrikam was responsible for the entire royal administration, palace affairs, and often the national treasury, effectively serving as the king's right-hand man in domestic matters. His death represents the catastrophic collapse of Judah's governmental and administrative infrastructure, indicating that the defeat was not merely a battle lost but a systemic breakdown of the kingdom's leadership and operational capacity, leaving the royal household in disarray.
* **"and Elkanah [that was] next to the king":** The final named victim, Elkanah, held a position of intimate proximity and significant influence, being "next to the king." This title suggests a chief advisor, a close confidant, or perhaps a high-ranking military commander second only to the monarch. His death further emphasizes the severity and completeness of the defeat, as it targeted the highest echelons of Judah's political, strategic, and personal leadership, leaving King Ahaz isolated, his counsel crippled, and his kingdom utterly vulnerable and exposed.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent **literary devices** to convey the gravity and theological significance of the events. **Emphasis** is powerfully achieved through the specific naming of three distinct high-ranking individuals, rather than simply stating a general number of casualties. This particularization magnifies the impact of the defeat, making it deeply personal, poignant, and tragic for King Ahaz and the kingdom. The deliberate selection of a royal prince (representing the future and dynasty), the chief administrator (representing the state's operations), and a close advisor (representing the king's personal and strategic support) creates a powerful sense of **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy**. These individuals, as parts, stand for the whole: their deaths symbolize the complete dismantling of the royal household, the administrative structure, and the strategic leadership of Judah. There is also a strong element of **Irony**, as King Ahaz, who sought to secure his kingdom through idolatry and alliances with pagan foreign powers rather than trusting in the Lord, experiences a devastating blow from his own Israelite brethren, highlighting the utter futility and self-destructive nature of his unfaithful strategies. The severity of this specific blow also serves as a chilling **Foreshadowing** of Judah's eventual downfall and exile, illustrating the progressive and escalating nature of divine judgment when repentance is continually refused.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The tragic events of 2 Chronicles 28:7 powerfully underscore God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and the severe, inescapable consequences of its violation. King Ahaz's profound apostasy, marked by abhorrent idolatry and the horrific practice of child sacrifice, represented a direct and egregious assault on the sacred covenant relationship between God and Judah. In response, God, in His perfect justice and unwavering holiness, allowed Judah to be subjected to devastating judgment, using the northern kingdom of Israel as an instrument of His righteous wrath. The targeted killing of the king's son, the chief administrator, and the king's closest advisor was not random; it was a precise, strategic, and profoundly humiliating blow to the very heart of Judah's leadership, succession, and future, demonstrating with stark clarity that God's judgment reaches even the highest echelons of power and spares no one from the consequences of national sin. This event serves as a timeless theological principle: faithfulness to God brings blessing and protection, while unfaithfulness invites divine discipline and severe repercussions.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [1 Samuel 2:30](/1_samuel/2-30 "1 Samuel 2:30 - Those Who Honor Me I Will Honor")
* [Proverbs 14:34](/proverbs/14-34 "Proverbs 14:34 - Righteousness Exalts a Nation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of 2 Chronicles 28:7, though rooted in the ancient history of Judah, offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers and communities in every generation. It serves as a stark and sobering reminder that spiritual fidelity is not merely a private or individual matter but has far-reaching and often devastating consequences, impacting individuals, families, and even entire nations. King Ahaz's reign vividly illustrates the perilous and destructive path of compromising one's faith with worldly practices, pagan ideologies, or idolatry. His desperate pursuit of security through foreign alliances and abhorrent pagan worship, rather than through unwavering trust in the sovereign Lord, ultimately led to national humiliation, devastating loss of life, and the fracturing of his kingdom's leadership. For us today, this narrative challenges us to deeply examine where our ultimate trust and allegiance truly lie. Do we seek security, stability, and significance in financial prosperity, political power, human wisdom, cultural acceptance, or technological advancements, or do we place our unwavering confidence and hope in the sovereign God alone? The severe judgment meted out to Judah underscores that God takes sin, especially covenant unfaithfulness and idolatry, with utmost seriousness. It compels us to remain steadfast and uncompromising in our devotion to God, to cultivate a deep reverence for His commands, and to recognize that true well-being, lasting security, and genuine flourishing flow solely from obedience and faithful allegiance to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does King Ahaz's unfaithfulness serve as a cautionary tale for leaders in any sphere today, whether in government, business, or the church, regarding the dangers of compromising spiritual principles for worldly gain or security?**
* **What "idols" or false sources of security might we, as individuals or as a society, be tempted to trust in instead of God, and what are the potential long-term consequences of such misplaced trust?**
* **How does God's judgment, even when severe and painful, ultimately aim for repentance, spiritual restoration, and the purification of His people, rather than mere destruction?**
* **What practical steps can we take in our personal lives, within our families, and in our communities to ensure that our actions and priorities consistently reflect a steadfast and uncompromising faithfulness to God?**

### FAQ

**Why did God allow Israel (Ephraim) to defeat Judah so severely, given they were both His people?**

Answer: God allowed Israel to defeat Judah as a direct and severe act of divine judgment upon King Ahaz and the kingdom of Judah for their extreme apostasy and unfaithfulness. While both Israel and Judah were part of God's covenant people, Judah, under Ahaz, had descended into unprecedented idolatry, including the horrific practice of child sacrifice ([2 Chronicles 28:3](/2_chronicles/28-3 "2 Chronicles 28:3 - Ahaz Sacrifices His Sons")). God, in His perfect sovereignty and justice, used the northern kingdom as an instrument of His righteous wrath to discipline His wayward people. This is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, where God raises up nations, even ungodly ones, to chastise His disobedient people, as seen when He uses Assyria as "the rod of my anger" against Israel in [Isaiah 10:5-6](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-6 - Assyria as God's Rod"). The severity of the defeat was intended to bring Judah to repentance and turn them back to God, though tragically, Ahaz remained unyielding in his rebellion ([2 Chronicles 28:22](/2_chronicles/28-22 "2 Chronicles 28:22 - Ahaz's Continued Rebellion")).

**What was the significance of killing the king's son, the governor, and Elkanah?**

Answer: The specific mention of Maaseiah the king's son, Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah who was next to the king, highlights the profound and systemic nature of Judah's defeat, signifying a targeted and devastating blow to the very heart of the kingdom's leadership. These were not random casualties but represented the highest echelons of power, influence, and the royal lineage. Killing the king's son was a direct blow to the royal succession and a deep personal humiliation for Ahaz, symbolizing the vulnerability and potential end of the Davidic dynasty. The "governor of the house" was the chief administrator, effectively the second most powerful person in the kingdom, and his death meant the collapse of Judah's administrative and economic structure. "Next to the king" implied a chief advisor or close confidant, whose death further isolated Ahaz and crippled his strategic leadership. Their deaths underscored the totality and precision of God's judgment, dismantling the political, administrative, and familial foundations of the kingdom in response to Ahaz's utter rejection of God and His covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The devastating judgment upon Judah in 2 Chronicles 28:7, brought about by King Ahaz's profound apostasy and the resulting death of the king's son and key officials, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate consequences of sin and the absolute necessity of a perfect, substitutionary sacrifice. The tragic vulnerability of Maaseiah, a member of the Davidic line, under the weight of divine wrath, dramatically illustrates the inherent brokenness and inability of human kings, their advisors, or any earthly power to secure true safety or eternal salvation. This profound human inadequacy points directly to Jesus Christ, the true Son of David and the eternal King, whose kingdom is not of this world and cannot be overthrown by sin, human enemies, or divine judgment ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")). While the wages of sin are indeed death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")), Christ, the ultimate "mighty man" and victorious warrior ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ the Victorious Rider")), willingly became the Lamb of God, taking upon Himself the full weight of divine judgment due to humanity's sin ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His sacrificial death on the cross fulfilled the requirement that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins" ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood")), inaugurating a new covenant where forgiveness, true security, and eternal life are found not in human alliances, political positions, or royal lineage, but in Him alone. He is the ultimate "governor of the house," managing God's eternal household, the Church ([Hebrews 3:6](/hebrews/3-6 "Hebrews 3:6 - Christ as Son Over God's House")), and the one truly "next to the King" (God the Father), interceding on our behalf and securing eternal redemption for all who trust in Him ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Esther 10:3

For Mordecai the Jew [was] next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.

Genesis 43:15

¶ And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

Genesis 41:43

And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him [ruler] over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 43:12

And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry [it] again in your hand; peradventure it [was] an oversight: