Bible Strands
2 Kings 16:2
Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the accession and reign of Ahaz, king of Judah, immediately following his father Jotham's death in the seventeenth year of Pekah of Israel. This historical note establishes Ahaz's tenure before detailing his spiritual failure.
The words — The Hebrew phrase עֶשְׂרִ֤ים שָׁנָה (‘es.Rim sha.Nah) literally translates to "twenty years," marking Ahaz's age at accession, while בְּ/מָלְכ֔/וֹ (be./ma.le.Kh/o) denotes "when he became king." These terms ground the narrative in precise regnal chronology.
The thread — The accession formula and reign length parallel the record in 2 Chronicles 28:1, while the explicit contrast with David echoes the covenantal standards outlined in 1 Kings 3:14 and 1 Kings 9:4. These references frame Ahaz's reign within the broader Davidic covenant expectations.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to measure a ruler's legitimacy against the established standard of David and the commandments of Yahweh. It demands recognition that political duration does not guarantee spiritual fidelity.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord his God, like David his father.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 28:1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD.
- 1 Kings 3:14 So if you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commandments, just as your father David did, I will prolong your days.”
- 1 Kings 9:4 And as for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, with a heart of integrity and uprightness, doing all I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and ordinances,
- 1 Kings 11:4 For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been.
- 1 Kings 15:3 And Abijam walked in all the sins that his father before him had committed, and his heart was not as fully devoted to the LORD his God as the heart of David his forefather had been.
- 2 Kings 14:3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not as his father David had done. He did everything as his father Joash had done.
- 2 Kings 15:3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done.
- 2 Kings 15:34 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done.
- 2 Kings 18:3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done.
- 2 Kings 22:2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.