📖 2 Kings — Chapter 16 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Kings 16:1 In the Rseventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.
2 Kings 16:2 Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and Rdid not that which was right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father.
2 Kings 16:3 But Rhe walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.
2 Kings 16:4 And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and Ron the hills, and under every green tree.
2 Kings 16:5 Then RRezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.
2 Kings 16:6 At that time Rezin king of Syria Rrecovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews Tfrom Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.
2 Kings 16:7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, Rand save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.
2 Kings 16:8 And Ahaz took Rthe silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.
2 Kings 16:9 And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria Rwent up against TDamascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.
2 Kings 16:10 And king Ahaz went to TDamascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and Rsaw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.
2 Kings 16:11 And Urijah the priest Rbuilt an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus.
2 Kings 16:12 And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king Rapproached to the altar, and offered thereon.
2 Kings 16:13 And Rhe burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of This peace offerings, upon the altar.
2 Kings 16:14 And he brought also Rthe brasen altar, which was before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar.
2 Kings 16:15 And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn Rthe morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king’s burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire by.
2 Kings 16:16 RThus did Urijah the priest, according to all that king Ahaz commanded.
2 Kings 16:17 And king Ahaz Rcut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brasen oxen that were under it, and put it upon the pavement of stones.
2 Kings 16:18 And Rthe covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king’s entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.
2 Kings 16:19 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
2 Kings 16:20 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was Rburied with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 16:1–9 — Ahaz turns to Assyria
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Ahaz follows idolatrous practices, including passing his son through fire. Facing Syria and Israel, he calls himself Assyria’s servant and sends sacred treasures for help. Assyria takes Damascus. A useful alliance does not make his disobedience faithful.
Key Truth: Do not surrender obedience for the promise of powerful help.
Check What You Remember
1. Who was Ahaz’s father? (2 Kings 16:1)
Find it in 2 Kings 16:1 (KJV).
2. Which Assyrian king did he ask for help? (2 Kings 16:7)
Find it in 2 Kings 16:7 (KJV).
3. What city did Assyria take? (2 Kings 16:9)
Find it in 2 Kings 16:9 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 16:10–16 — A foreign altar replaces the established order
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
At Damascus Ahaz admires an altar and sends its pattern to Urijah. The priest reproduces it, and Ahaz reassigns offerings and moves the existing altar. Royal preference drives these changes rather than a stated command from the LORD.
Key Truth: An attractive religious form still needs to be measured against God’s word.
Check What You Remember
1. Who built the copied altar? (2 Kings 16:11)
Find it in 2 Kings 16:11 (KJV).
2. From which city came the design? (2 Kings 16:10)
Find it in 2 Kings 16:10 (KJV).
3. Where did Ahaz move the brass altar? (2 Kings 16:14)
Find it in 2 Kings 16:14 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 16:17–20 — Further alterations and the end of Ahaz’s reign
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Ahaz removes temple fittings and changes arrangements in connection with Assyria’s king. His reign closes without a recorded turn from these choices. Hezekiah succeeds him, opening another chapter in Judah’s response to God.
Key Truth: Influential pressure should not govern faithfulness.
Check What You Remember
1. From what supports was the sea removed? (2 Kings 16:17)
Find it in 2 Kings 16:17 (KJV).
2. For whose sake was the entry arrangement changed? (2 Kings 16:18)
Find it in 2 Kings 16:18 (KJV).
3. Who succeeded Ahaz? (2 Kings 16:20)
Find it in 2 Kings 16:20 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Isaiah 7:9 — God’s word to Ahaz in this wider crisis emphasizes faith.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What pressure might tempt you to change a conviction simply to please someone powerful?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How is Ahaz’s conduct contrasted with David’s?
2. How does Ahaz describe himself when seeking Assyria’s help?
3. What directs Urijah’s construction of the new altar?
4. What role does Ahaz reserve for the brass altar?
5. What changes are made to the sea’s supports?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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