Verses 1-27

CHAPTER 28 The Reign of Ahaz

1. The record of his reign (2 Chronicles 28:1-4)

2. The punishment of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:5-8)

3. The message of Oded and its results (2 Chronicles 28:9-15)

4. Further punishments of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:16-25)

5. Death of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:26-27)

On Ahaz his wicked reign and apostasy, as well as the war with Syria and the invasion of Judah by Israel, see our annotations on 2 Kings 16. It was at that time that Isaiah ministered in Judah (Isa. 7). Pekah, the son of Remaliah, slew in one day 120,000 men “because they had forsaken the LORD their God.” it was a terrible punishment which fell upon Ahaz. Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew the son of Ahaz, Maaseiah, also the governor and Elkanah, who was next to the king. A still larger number of Jews were taken captive. The interesting record of the prophet Oded is only given here in Chronicles. Who Oded was we do not know. He was a true and courageous prophet of Jehovah in the midst of idolatrous Samaria nearing so rapidly its predicted doom. Only a true prophet clothed with the Spirit of power could utter such a daring message, which in a time of victory and enthusiasm was calculated to humble the people. And he made the demand, “deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren, for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.” It was the Word of the Lord, and they knew only too well that every word spoken was true, and the heads of Ephraim (the northern kingdom) were deeply impressed and convicted. They said, “Ye shall not bring the captives hither.” They acknowledged that Israel had transgressed. “For our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.” Then follows one of the beautiful scenes in Chronicles. This dark chapter is relieved by the mercy which was shown. “And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren.” it reminds us of two passages in the New Testament: Luke 10:30-37, the parable of the good Samaritan, and Matthew 25:31-40. We leave the application which can be made with the reader. Ahaz and his alliance with Assyria as well as Ahaz’s further idolatry are commented upon in Second Kings.