2 Chronicles 28:1 kjv
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:
2 Chronicles 28:1 nkjv
Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and he did not do what was right in the sight of the LORD, as his father David had done.
2 Chronicles 28:1 niv
Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 28:1 esv
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,
2 Chronicles 28:1 nlt
Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. He did not do what was pleasing in the sight of the LORD, as his ancestor David had done.
2 Chronicles 28 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chr 27:2 | "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Jotham had done, though he did not enter the temple of the Lord." | Contrast to previous good king Jotham. |
| 2 Kgs 16:2 | "Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God, as his father David had done." | Parallel account in Kings. |
| 1 Kgs 15:3 | "He walked in all the sins of his father which he had committed before him; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of his father David." | Asa, comparison to David. |
| 1 Kgs 11:4 | "For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away to follow other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of his father David." | Solomon's deviation from David's standard. |
| 1 Kgs 15:26 | "He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin which he made Israel sin." | Jeroboam, a benchmark of evil for Israel. |
| 2 Kgs 18:3 | "He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done." | Ahaz's son Hezekiah, who followed David. |
| 2 Chr 29:2 | "He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done." | Ahaz's son Hezekiah's good reign. |
| Deut 6:18 | "You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, so that it may be well with you..." | General command to do what is right. |
| Deut 12:28 | "Observe and listen to all these words which I command you, so that it may be well with you and your sons after you forever, because you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God." | Emphasizes obedience and blessing. |
| Prov 12:2 | "A good person obtains favor from the Lord, but a person of wicked intentions He condemns." | Contrast between good and wicked behavior. |
| Acts 13:22 | "After removing him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.'" | God's approval of David's heart. |
| Jer 7:23-24 | "But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people...'" | Judah's refusal to obey God's voice. |
| Psa 78:8 | "And not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not prepare its heart, and whose spirit was not faithful to God." | Warning against stubbornness. |
| Isa 1:2-4 | "Hear, heavens, and listen, earth, for the Lord speaks: 'Sons I have raised and brought up, but they have revolted against Me.'..." | God's complaint against rebellious Israel. |
| Isa 7:10-12 | "Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, 'Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God..." | Ahaz's refusal to trust the Lord. |
| Ezek 18:24 | "But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness, commits injustice, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked person does, will he live?" | The consequences of turning from righteousness. |
| Matt 7:21 | "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." | Doing God's will is key. |
| John 14:15 | "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." | Connection between love and obedience. |
| Rom 12:2 | "And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." | Discern and live out God's will. |
| Heb 11:6 | "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him." | Ahaz lacked faith in the Lord. |
| 1 Pet 4:3-4 | "For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness..." | Lifestyle of the ungodly compared to those who obey God. |
| 1 John 2:16-17 | "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world." | Worldliness in contrast to God's ways. |
2 Chronicles 28 verses
2 Chronicles 28 1 Meaning
This verse introduces Ahaz as the new king of Judah, highlighting his age at accession and the duration of his reign in Jerusalem. Critically, it immediately assesses his character and leadership, stating he "did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord," in direct contrast to the righteous standard set by his ancestor King David. This unfavorable evaluation sets the stage for a period of severe spiritual decline and national distress during his rule.
2 Chronicles 28 1 Context
Chronicles 28:1 marks a critical transition in the history of the Kingdom of Judah. It follows the reign of Jotham, who, despite his general righteousness, failed to prevent the people from continuing in their corrupt practices (2 Chr 27:2). Ahaz’s ascension represents a precipitous spiritual descent for Judah. Historically, his reign is most infamous for his deliberate turning away from the Lord to worship foreign deities, constructing idols, sacrificing his own children, and seeking alliance with the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III instead of trusting God for deliverance during the Syro-Ephraimite War (2 Kgs 16, Isa 7). The Chronicler’s concise judgment in 2 Chronicles 28:1 therefore serves as a vital preamble, explaining the calamitous events that will unfold under his rule. For the post-exilic audience of Chronicles, this negative beginning provided a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of national unfaithfulness, contrasting sharply with the divine promise and the covenant faithfulness embodied by David.
2 Chronicles 28 1 Word analysis
- Ahaz (
אָחָז-ʾĀḥāz): The name means "He has grasped" or "possessor." This carries an ironic significance for a king who tragically grasped at foreign gods and worldly alliances instead of holding fast to the Lord. His life tragically reflects a grasping for everything but God. - was twenty years old when he became king: This is the typical regnal formula, indicating the beginning of his rule. Youthful age often implies susceptibility to external influences or a lack of mature judgment. While not inherently negative, for Ahaz, it might imply that his disastrous policies began early.
- and he reigned sixteen years: This indicates the relatively short duration of his kingship compared to some longer reigns, yet it was long enough for him to commit profound abominations and lead Judah into significant spiritual apostasy and national peril.
- in Jerusalem: This highlights that his rule, and his idolatry, was centered in the divinely chosen capital, the city of God’s Temple, adding to the severity of his actions. Jerusalem was meant to be the heart of true worship and obedience.
- and he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord: This is the key evaluative statement, standard in both Kings and Chronicles, indicating that the king's actions did not conform to God’s moral and ceremonial law (the Torah).
- did not do: (
לֹא־עָשָׂה-loʿ-ʿāśāh): A strong negative, directly indicating failure of action. It's an active non-compliance, not merely passive omission. - what was right: (
הַיָּשָׁר-hayyashar): Literally "the straight" or "the upright." In a theological context, this refers to adherence to God's commandments, justice, and faithfulness. It implies moral integrity and conformity to divine standards, established by the covenant. This contrasts with pagan "rightness" which could be self-serving or dictated by immediate circumstances or human desires. This is an indirect polemic against syncretism, affirming Yahweh’s sole claim to defining moral rectitude for His people. - in the eyes of the Lord: (
בְעֵינֵי יהוה-bəʿênê Yahweh): Emphasizes that God Himself is the ultimate Judge and standard-setter. Human judgment or cultural norms are secondary; only divine approval matters. It underscores God's omniscient perspective.
- did not do: (
- as his father David had done: This powerful comparative phrase sets up a stark contrast. David is held as the ideal standard for Judah's kings—not flawless personally, but fundamentally committed to the Lord's will and covenant (Acts 13:22). Ahaz’s deliberate departure from this Davidic model underscores the depth of his spiritual rebellion and failure. It serves as a polemic against the notion that mere lineage guarantees blessing; faithfulness is paramount.
2 Chronicles 28 1 Bonus section
The Chronicler's emphasis on Ahaz's spiritual failing ("did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done") over detailed military or political narratives sets the stage for a unique theological presentation of this era. While Kings focuses on the geopolitical struggles, Chronicles explicitly attributes the resulting calamities (detailed in the following verses) directly to Ahaz's disobedience. This theological perspective underscores that the well-being and security of the Davidic dynasty and Judah as a whole were directly dependent on the faithfulness of its king to God’s covenant, specifically the standards embodied by David. The mention of David is not just a stylistic trope; it highlights the covenantal responsibilities that Ahaz wilfully abandoned, leading Judah into its darkest spiritual hour before the reformations under Hezekiah.
2 Chronicles 28 1 Commentary
2 Chronicles 28:1 offers a concise yet devastating summation of King Ahaz's character and reign before detailing any specific events. The Chronicler, concerned with theological explanation over mere historical recounting, immediately presents God's verdict on Ahaz's rule. Unlike many kings who were given some mitigating assessment, Ahaz receives the dire "did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord" without qualification, directly juxtaposed against the standard of David, Judah's most righteous king. This judgment immediately signals that Ahaz’s reign will be one of profound spiritual failure, contrasting sharply with the preceding good king Jotham, and paving the way for the severe trials Judah would face. It is a vital introduction to a narrative of widespread idolatry, national weakness, and ultimately, divine chastisement, all stemming from the king’s personal rejection of God's ways. This verse stands as a stark warning about leadership and faithfulness, indicating that true authority and prosperity for God’s people flow from obedience to His revealed will.