2 Chronicles 28:1

¶ Ahaz [was] twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:

Ahaz {H271} was twenty {H6242} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he began to reign {H4427}, and he reigned {H4427} sixteen {H8337}{H6240} years {H8141} in Jerusalem {H3389}: but he did {H6213} not that which was right {H3477} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, like David {H1732} his father {H1}:

Achaz was twenty years old when he began his reign, and he ruled sixteen years in Yerushalayim. But he did not do what was right from the perspective of ADONAI, as David his ancestor had done.

Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD.

Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, like David his father;

Commentary

Context

This verse introduces King Ahaz, a pivotal figure in the history of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Son of King Jotham, who had largely done what was right in the sight of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:6), Ahaz's reign marks a significant period of spiritual and political decline. Beginning his rule at twenty years old, he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem, a period characterized by profound idolatry and national distress, as further detailed in subsequent verses of 2 Chronicles 28 and 2 Kings 16. This opening verse immediately sets a negative tone, indicating a stark departure from the spiritual legacy expected of a king in the lineage of David.

Key Themes

  • Failure of Righteous Leadership: The core message of this verse is Ahaz's profound spiritual failure as a king. The phrase "did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD" is a recurring divine evaluation in the books of Kings and Chronicles. It signifies a deliberate and severe deviation from God's covenant standards and commandments, indicating a choice to reject the ways of the one true God.
  • The Davidic Standard: The comparison "like David his father" is highly significant. King David, despite his personal failings, established a benchmark of faithfulness and obedience, earning the title "a man after God's own heart". The chronicler frequently uses David as the ideal standard for evaluating subsequent monarchs. Ahaz's actions represent a profound departure from this righteous heritage and the promises of the Davidic covenant, signaling a period of deep spiritual darkness for Judah.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated as "did not that which was right" is often `lo' `asah hayashar b'eyney Yahweh` (לֹא עָשָׂה הַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה). The word `yashar` means "straight," "upright," or "righteous." When applied to actions in the sight of the LORD, it implies adherence to a divinely revealed moral and spiritual standard, not merely human ethics or political expediency. Ahaz's reign was characterized by actions that were "crooked" or "perverse" in God's eyes, leading to severe consequences for his kingdom, as seen in 2 Chronicles 28:5 and beyond.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual integrity and moral uprightness, especially in positions of leadership. It underscores that true success and blessing are measured by adherence to God's standards, not by worldly power or longevity of reign. For individuals today, it highlights personal accountability before God; our actions and choices are continually evaluated "in the sight of the LORD." While heritage or upbringing can provide a foundation, each person must choose to follow God's path, rather than straying into practices that are contrary to His will, as Ahaz tragically did.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 1:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

  • 1 Chronicles 3:13 (3 votes)

    Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,

  • 2 Chronicles 17:3 (2 votes)

    And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;

  • Micah 1:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

  • Isaiah 7:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, [that] Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.

  • Isaiah 7:12 (2 votes)

    But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.

  • 2 Kings 16:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.