2 Chronicles 28:1-4·~1 min

Ahaz Reigns in Judah

The chapter opens by naming Ahaz as a king who does not do what is right before the LORD. His reign is marked by Baal worship, child sacrifice, and offerings made across Judah's high places.

A¹haz 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. ²Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even made cast images of the Baals. ³Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. ⁴And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.

Section summaryAhaz begins his reign by turning decisively from the pattern of David. His worship follows the nations and the kings of Israel, spreading from carved images to child sacrifice and sacrifices at every illicit shrine.

Role in the chapterThis opening section establishes the moral cause of everything that follows. It frames Ahaz's reign as a deliberate break with covenant faithfulness before any military disaster appears.