2 Chronicles 28:22-23
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Isn't it striking how, even in his hardest moments, King Ahaz doubled down on his unfaithfulness instead of turning to God? The verse emphasizes that this wasn't a new habit, but his distress intensified his already existing pattern of betraying the Lord, making it clear that his deepest problems weren't external, but internal.
In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the LORD—this same King Ahaz. For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Ahaz and Judah were facing immense pressure from the conquering armies of Syria and Israel. Instead of turning to God for help, Ahaz, driven by fear and desperation, further abandoned the LORD and even desecrated the Temple. This verse highlights his deepening unfaithfulness precisely when he most desperately needed divine aid.
We often assume that hitting rock bottom will automatically turn someone toward God. But what happens when distress makes things worse, not better? This verse shows us a disturbing reality.
The Opposite Reaction
Life's storms are supposed to drive us to our knees, seeking help from the One who can truly deliver. Yet, King Ahaz demonstrates a different, tragic path. Instead of turning to the LORD in his distress, he actually became more faithless. This wasn't just a passive drifting away; the text says he "became yet more faithless." It implies a deliberate, hardening choice against God.
Why This Happens
When we face serious trouble, two paths open up:
Ahaz chose the second path. His distress didn't humble him; it fueled his defiance.
The end of the verse emphasizes 'this same King Ahaz.' What does this simple phrase tell us about his character and the depth of his rebellion?
Not a New Trick
Ask a follow-up
Attributing the same sin to him in his distress highlights that this wasn't an accidental slip-up. Ahaz had a history of not following the LORD. His actions during this crisis were consistent with his established pattern of disobedience. The distress didn't reveal a new flaw; it exposed the depth of his ongoing one.
The Danger of a Hardened Heart
A hardened heart doesn't get softened by pressure; it often gets harder. The "same" Ahaz is a man whose heart was so set against God that even the brink of disaster couldn't break him. This isn't just about one bad decision; it’s about a soul that has repeatedly rejected God's ways and is now deeply entrenched in its rebellion.
Understand the original words
tsarah · Hebrew Noun
A state of being in dire straits, trouble, or confinement; in a biblical context, it often serves as a test of faith or a divine judgment meant to lead to repentance.
maal · Hebrew Verb
To act treacherously, break faith, or act unfaithfully against a covenant, particularly against God. It denotes a deliberate rebellion or betrayal of one's obligations to the Lord.
zabach · Hebrew Verb
The act of offering something to a deity to secure favor, appease wrath, or establish communion; in the Old Testament, it was strictly regulated for the worship of Yahweh but strictly forbidden when directed toward idols.
The verse highlights that Ahaz's 'distress' wasn't just a moment of external attack, but a period where his already failing faith led him to further apostasy, symbolized by his adoption of foreign religious practices within the very Temple of God.
c. 740 BC
Reign of King Ahaz Begins
Ahaz became king of Judah at age 20, inheriting a kingdom facing significant external threats.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
The northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and Syria formed an alliance to attack Judah, aiming to depose Ahaz and install their own ruler.
c. 734 BC
Assyrian Intervention
Facing the combined forces of Syria and Israel, Ahaz appealed to Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria for help. This marked a significant increase in Assyrian influence over Judah.
c. 732 BC
Fall of Damascus
As part of his agreement with Assyria, Ahaz likely aided Tiglath-Pileser III in conquering Damascus, the capital of Syria. This ended the immediate threat from Syria.
c. 732 BC— this verse
Ahaz's Religious Reforms
During or shortly after the Syro-Ephraimite crisis, Ahaz introduced pagan altars and worship practices into the Jerusalem Temple, further turning away from the LORD.
c. 727 BC
Death of Ahaz
Ahaz died at age 36, leaving a legacy of political instability and religious corruption. His son Hezekiah succeeded him, initiating a significant religious revival.
This verse echoes the same pattern of Israel crying out to God in distress, only to fall back into greater sin, highlighting a recurring theme of spiritual unfaithfulness.
Jeremiah 2:29-30The prophet Jeremiah confronts Israel with their persistent unfaithfulness, even when discipline has come, mirroring Ahaz's stubborn refusal to turn back to God.
Isaiah 9:13This passage directly criticizes the spiritual blindness and stubbornness of Israel during this very period, showing that Ahaz's faithlessness was part of a larger national crisis.
Proverbs 1:28-31This proverb warns of the consequences of rejecting wisdom and God's call, illustrating the path of spiritual decay that Ahaz himself walked, especially in his difficult times.
Isn't it striking how, even in his hardest moments, King Ahaz doubled down on his unfaithfulness instead of turning to God? The verse emphasizes that this wasn't a new habit, but his distress intensified his already existing pattern of betraying the Lord, making it clear that his deepest problems weren't external, but internal.
King Ahaz and Judah were facing immense pressure from the conquering armies of Syria and Israel. Instead of turning to God for help, Ahaz, driven by fear and desperation, further abandoned the LORD and even desecrated the Temple. This verse highlights his deepening unfaithfulness precisely when he most desperately needed divine aid.
King Ahaz and Judah were facing immense pressure from the conquering armies of Syria and Israel. Instead of turning to God for help, Ahaz, driven by fear and desperation, further abandoned the LORD and even desecrated the Temple. This verse highlights his deepening unfaithfulness precisely when he most desperately needed divine aid.
"In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the LORD—this same King Ahaz. For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to th…" — Isn't it striking how, even in his hardest moments, King Ahaz doubled down on his unfaithfulness instead of turning to God? The verse emphasizes that this wasn't a new habit, but his distress *intens…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
