2 Chronicles 28 2

2 Chronicles 28:2 kjv

For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.

2 Chronicles 28:2 nkjv

For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made molded images for the Baals.

2 Chronicles 28:2 niv

He followed the ways of the kings of Israel and also made idols for worshiping the Baals.

2 Chronicles 28:2 esv

but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel. He even made metal images for the Baals,

2 Chronicles 28:2 nlt

Instead, he followed the example of the kings of Israel. He cast metal images for the worship of Baal.

2 Chronicles 28 verses

2 Chronicles 28 2 Meaning

King Ahaz of Judah, deviating from the righteous path of his Davidic ancestors, deliberately adopted and practiced the idolatrous customs characteristic of the northern kingdom of Israel's wicked kings. Specifically, he commissioned and worshipped cast images dedicated to the pagan deities known as Baals, fundamentally forsaking the worship of Yahweh, the one true God of Israel.

2 Chronicles 28 2 Context

2 Chronicles 28:2 describes the reign of King Ahaz over Judah (735-715 BC), the son of Jotham. Immediately following a relatively righteous king (Jotham, 2 Chr 27:6), Ahaz plunges Judah into deep spiritual apostasy, unmatched by previous Judean kings and rivalling the worst of the Northern Kingdom's rulers. This verse sets the stage for his intensely wicked reign, detailed in the rest of the chapter, which includes walking in the ways of Israel's kings, child sacrifice (v. 3), and offering sacrifices to pagan gods (v. 4). His actions ultimately led to divine judgment in the form of defeats by Aram and Israel, and severe affliction upon Judah. The Chronicler emphasizes Ahaz's flagrant disobedience to the Mosaic Law and the covenant, serving as a dire example of the consequences of rejecting Yahweh and embracing syncretism.

2 Chronicles 28 2 Word analysis

• For he walked (וַיֵּלֶךְ, wayyelekh):

  • Word Level: From the Hebrew root הָלַךְ (halakh), "to walk." This is a profound biblical idiom for one's manner of life, conduct, or spiritual orientation. It denotes habitual practice and character, not just a casual stroll. In the Deuteronomistic history, kings are frequently judged by whether they "walked in the ways" of David (righteous) or Jeroboam (wicked).
  • Significance: Implies deliberate choice and sustained action. Ahaz intentionally chose this path. It wasn't accidental but a pervasive lifestyle.

• in the ways (בְּדַרְכֵי, bedarke):

  • Word Level: Plural of דֶּרֶךְ (derekh), meaning "way," "path," "road," or figuratively, "manner," "custom," "course of life."
  • Significance: Refers to the established customs, practices, and policies of life, particularly religious and moral ones. Ahaz embraced their methods of worship and governance that contravened Yahweh's commands.

• of the kings of Israel (מַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, malke Yisra'el):

  • Word Level: Refers to the succession of kings who ruled the Northern Kingdom of Israel after the kingdom split from Judah in 931 BC.
  • Significance: This is a severe indictment. The kings of the Northern Kingdom, from Jeroboam I onward, were universally condemned by biblical writers for their idolatry (specifically the golden calves at Bethel and Dan) and leading their people away from Yahweh. Unlike Judah, where some kings were righteous, Israel never had a king fully devoted to Yahweh. By emulating them, Ahaz was abandoning the unique covenant identity of Judah as the heir of David's line, associated with Jerusalem and the true Temple. This represents a polemic against the Northern Kingdom's foundational apostasy.

• and made (וַיַּעַשׂ, wayya'as):

  • Word Level: From the Hebrew root עָשָׂה ('asah), "to make," "to do," "to fashion."
  • Significance: Indicates the physical, active construction and creation of these idols, a tangible act of disobedience to God's law forbidding images.

• molten images (מַסֵּכוֹת, massekhoth):

  • Word Level: Plural of מַסֵּכָה (massekah), meaning "molten image" or "cast image." These were idols formed by pouring molten metal (bronze, gold, silver) into a mold.
  • Significance: Directly violates the second commandment (Exo 20:4, Lev 19:4, Deut 4:16, 27:15). Unlike carved images, molten images suggest a certain craftsmanship and permanence. They were often central to pagan worship.

• for Baals (לַבְּעָלִים, labba'alim):

  • Word Level: Plural of בַּעַל (Ba'al). Ba'al means "master" or "lord." In this context, it refers to the various deities of the Canaanite pantheon, worshipped as storm gods, fertility gods, and rulers of specific places.
  • Significance: Worship of Baals was a central apostasy of ancient Israel, symbolizing the rejection of Yahweh's covenant Lordship. The use of the plural "Baals" suggests not merely a single idol, but a pantheon or multiple localized manifestations of this pervasive Canaanite idolatry, indicating the extent of Ahaz's religious syncretism. It was the antithesis of the covenant with Yahweh, who alone was the God who brought rain and fertility (1 Kgs 17:1).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel": This phrase functions as a comprehensive spiritual assessment of Ahaz's reign. It signifies not just one act, but an entire mode of governance and spiritual life characterized by profound apostasy. It highlights his radical break from the Davidic covenant and his emulation of the very kings whose wickedness led to the downfall of the northern kingdom. This specific comparison marks Ahaz as singularly wicked among Judah's kings up to this point.

• "made molten images for Baals": This phrase provides a concrete, egregious example of "walking in the ways of the kings of Israel." It signifies not merely a philosophical divergence but tangible acts of worship that were strictly forbidden by the Mosaic Law. It encapsulates the grossest form of idolatry – the creation of physical idols and their dedication to rival, false gods. The nature of the gods (Baals) emphasizes fertility cults and pagan practices that often included depravity, serving as a direct affront to Yahweh's holiness and His claim to exclusive worship.

2 Chronicles 28 2 Bonus section

• Exaggerated Wickedness: The Chronicler's specific mention of "the ways of the kings of Israel" in Judah is highly significant because it elevates Ahaz's apostasy to a level comparable to the most egregious wickedness known in Israelite history. While Judah had kings who strayed, few embraced Northern Kingdom-style idolatry so thoroughly.
• Contrast with Hezekiah: This verse, and indeed the entire chapter detailing Ahaz's wickedness, serves as a powerful theological foil for the immediate succession of his son, Hezekiah, one of Judah's most righteous kings (2 Chr 29). The contrast highlights the radical difference in spiritual commitment and the redemptive possibility of repentance and reform, even after deep national sin.
• Political Idolatry: Ahaz's spiritual apostasy was deeply intertwined with his political decisions. In his fear of the Syro-Ephraimite alliance (Aram and Israel), he refused to trust Yahweh and instead sought alliance with Assyria, further introducing foreign customs and deities into Judah (2 Chr 28:20-21, 2 Kgs 16:7-18). His idol worship was therefore not just personal piety but an attempt to integrate into regional political norms that demanded recognition of foreign gods, reflecting a failure of faith in Yahweh's protection.
• Severity of Baal Worship: Baal worship was inherently detestable to Yahweh. It included cultic prostitution, self-mutilation by priests, and child sacrifice (as indicated in the subsequent verse 2 Chr 28:3). By promoting this, Ahaz sanctioned the worst of pagan practices, further defiling the land and the people.

2 Chronicles 28 2 Commentary

2 Chronicles 28:2 stands as a concise but damning indictment of King Ahaz's spiritual departure. His "walking in the ways of the kings of Israel" signifies a deliberate, deep-seated rejection of Yahweh's covenant and an embrace of the idolatry that epitomized the Northern Kingdom's rebellion. This was more than casual error; it was a fundamental reorientation of national religious policy. The creation of "molten images for Baals" explicitly details the abominable nature of his practices. This directly contravened the first two commandments and invited divine judgment. Ahaz, despite having righteous forefathers, chose the path of spiritual infidelity, plunging Judah into unprecedented wickedness and exposing them to divine discipline. It illustrates the enduring biblical principle that leadership's spiritual direction profoundly impacts the nation.

Examples:

• A leader choosing policies that undermine religious freedom for the sake of perceived stability.
• Individuals or communities allowing secular cultural values to supplant foundational biblical principles, leading to spiritual decline.
• Parents or spiritual guides failing to teach God's ways, implicitly leading others down paths contrary to His word.