Ahaz son of Jotham became king of Judah… He even sacrificed his own son as a burnt offering to idols… King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel attacked Jerusalem and besieged it, but could not defeat Ahaz. …Ahaz took the silver and gold from the Temple and the palace treasury, and sent it as a present to the emperor. Tiglath Pileser, in answer to Ahaz’ plea, marched out with his army against Damascus, captured it, killed King Rezin, and took the people to Kir as prisoners.
The plan worked! These two nations were incredibly arrogant to attack a third nation when they were under the watch of that era’s super power (Jonah 3:3).
When King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Emperor Tiglath Pileser, he saw the altar there and sent back to Uriah the priest an exact model of it, down to the smallest details. So Uriah built an altar just like it and finished it before Ahaz returned.
A sad contrast with the model David passed on to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:11-13). Here is a man that sold his soul to what works – and to please his new master. May I do the same but with respect to your Kingdom, Father (Matthew 13:45-46).
Uriah did as the king commanded.
Here is a guy who was supposed to be looking after the interests of the temple and the law! Another who simply followed the prevailing wind (Exodus 32:22-24).
…in order to please the Assyrian emperor, Ahaz also removed from the Temple the platform for the royal throne and closed up the king’s private entrance to the Temple.
It didn’t last (2 Kings 17:5-6) nor does it ever. Seeking to please others always ends poorly (Galatians 1:10).
Ahaz died and was buried in the royal tombs in David’s City, and his son Hezekiah succeeded him as king.
We are in no way condemned to follow in the footsteps of those that went before us (2 Kings 18:1-3). May I win the prize, Lord (Hebrews 11:39).