2 Chronicles 28:1
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse immediately contrasts Ahaz with his ancestor David, not his father Hezekiah, highlighting a spiritual lineage that Ahaz failed to follow. This isn't just about personal failing; it's about breaking a covenant pattern that was supposed to be passed down. It subtly points out that spiritual heritage matters, and choosing not to follow the good example set by a spiritual ancestor is a significant misstep.
Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ahaz is the grandson of the good King Uzziah and the son of the decent King Jotham. However, instead of following in their footsteps, he plunges into great wickedness, even sacrificing his own sons to pagan gods. This verse sets the stage for a deeply troubling account of Israel's spiritual and political decline under his rule.
King Ahaz started his reign with a stark warning: he failed to follow God. What does this say about the impact of leadership and legacy?
The Weight of Legacy
Ahaz began his reign not by following the righteous path of his ancestor David, but by "not do[ing] what was right in the eyes of the LORD." This is a significant statement because David, despite his flaws, is held up as a standard of seeking God. Ahaz's reign is immediately defined by what he didn't do – he didn't emulate the good, and instead chose a path away from God. This highlights how the choices of leaders, especially kings who set the spiritual tone for the nation, have profound consequences. The verse doesn't just say he sinned; it contrasts him with a positive example, emphasizing his deliberate deviation.
The Bible clearly distinguishes between doing what is right and doing what is wrong in God's eyes. What makes Ahaz's path so detrimental?
A Choice Made
The phrase "he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD" isn't just a passive observation; it's an active rejection. It implies a conscious decision to turn away from God's commands and His covenant faithfulness. Unlike David, who often stumbled but consistently returned to God, Ahaz's reign is characterized by a sustained lack of righteousness. This sets the stage for the disastrous events that follow in his kingdom, showing that a ruler's heart posture towards God directly influences the spiritual climate and fate of the people they govern.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
A descriptive term referring to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, indicating His standard of moral and ethical perfection as the ultimate judge of human behavior.
c. 790 BC
King Uzziah's Reign Begins
Uzziah, Ahaz's grandfather, began a long and largely prosperous reign over Judah, marked by military success and economic growth.
c. 770 BC
Ahaz Born
Ahaz was born to King Uzziah, setting the stage for his eventual succession to the throne of Judah.
c. 740 BC
Jotham's Reign
Ahaz's father, Jotham, ruled as king, though the biblical text notes he 'did not enter into the temple of the LORD'.
c. 732 BC— this verse
Ahaz Begins Reign
Ahaz, aged twenty, became king of Judah and began his sixteen-year reign in Jerusalem.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
The northern kingdom of Israel (led by Pekah) and Syria (led by Rezin) attacked Judah to force them into an anti-Assyrian alliance. Ahaz desperately sought help from Assyria.
c. 732 BC
Assyrian Intervention
The Assyrian Empire, responding to Ahaz's plea and payment, invaded the region, subjugating Damascus and weakening Israel and Syria.
c. 727 BC
Ahaz's Death
Ahaz died at the age of 36, succeeded by his son Hezekiah, who would reign with greater faithfulness to the LORD.
This passage provides a parallel account of Ahaz's reign, highlighting his idolatry and disobedience to God, reinforcing the negative assessment given in Chronicles.
Judges 2:11-13This speaks to a recurring pattern in Israel's history where the people would forsake the Lord and follow other gods, a cycle that Ahaz sadly exemplifies.
Deuteronomy 18:9-12This passage warns against the detestable practices that Ahaz engaged in, such as child sacrifice and sorcery, showing how his actions were a direct violation of God's commands.
2 Chronicles 29:2This verse contrasts Ahaz's actions with his son Hezekiah's, who 'did what was right in the eyes of the LORD,' providing a clear picture of the divergent paths of faithfulness and unfaithfulness.
The verse immediately contrasts Ahaz with his ancestor David, not his father Hezekiah, highlighting a spiritual lineage that Ahaz failed to follow. This isn't just about personal failing; it's about breaking a covenant pattern that was supposed to be passed down. It subtly points out that spiritual heritage matters, and choosing not to follow the good example set by a spiritual ancestor is a significant misstep.
Ahaz is the grandson of the good King Uzziah and the son of the decent King Jotham. However, instead of following in their footsteps, he plunges into great wickedness, even sacrificing his own sons to pagan gods. This verse sets the stage for a deeply troubling account of Israel's spiritual and political decline under his rule.
Ahaz is the grandson of the good King Uzziah and the son of the decent King Jotham. However, instead of following in their footsteps, he plunges into great wickedness, even sacrificing his own sons to pagan gods. This verse sets the stage for a deeply troubling account of Israel's spiritual and political decline under his rule.
"Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done," — The verse immediately contrasts Ahaz with his ancestor David, not his father Hezekiah, highlighting a spiritual lineage that Ahaz failed to follow. This isn't just about personal failing; it's abou…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
