Ahaz was twentyyearsoldwhen he began to reign, and he reignedsixteenyearsin Jerusalem: but he didnot that which was rightin the sightof the LORD, like Davidhis father: For he walkedin the waysof the kingsof Israel, and madealsomolten imagesfor Baalim. Moreover heburnt incensein the valleyof the sonof Hinnom, and burnthis childrenin the fire, after the abominationsof the heathenwhomthe LORDhad cast outbeforethe childrenof Israel. He sacrificedalso and burnt incensein the high places, and onthe hills, and undereverygreentree. Wherefore the LORDhis Goddeliveredhim into the handof the kingof Syria; and they smotehim, and carried awaya greatmultitude ofthem captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was alsodeliveredinto the handof the kingof Israel, who smotehim with a greatslaughter. For Pekahthe sonof Remaliahslewin Judaha hundredand twentythousandin oneday, which were allvaliant men; because they had forsakenthe LORDGodof their fathers. And Zichri, a mighty manof Ephraim, slewMaaseiahthe king's son, and Azrikamthe governorof the house, and Elkanah that was nextto the king. And the childrenof Israelcarried away captiveof their brethrentwo hundredthousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also awaymuchspoilfromthem, and broughtthe spoilto Samaria. But a prophetof the LORDwasthere, whose name was Oded: and he went outbeforethe hostthat cameto Samaria, and saidunto them, Behold, because the LORDGodof your fatherswas wrothwithJudah, he hath deliveredthem into your hand, and ye have slainthem in a rage that reacheth upuntoheaven. And nowyepurposeto keep underthe childrenof Judahand Jerusalemfor bondmenand bondwomenunto you: but are there notwithyou, evenwith you, sinsagainst the LORDyour God? Nowhearme therefore, and deliverthe captivesagain, whichye have taken captiveof your brethren: forthe fiercewrathof the LORD is uponyou. Then certainof the headsof the childrenof Ephraim, Azariahthe sonof Johanan, Berechiahthe sonof Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiahthe sonof Shallum, and Amasathe sonof Hadlai, stood upagainstthem that camefromthe war, And saidunto them, Ye shall notbring inthe captiveshither: for whereaswe have offended againstthe LORD already , yeintendto add more toour sinsand toour trespass: forour trespassis great, and there is fiercewrathagainstIsrael. So the armed menleftthe captivesand the spoilbeforethe princesand allthe congregation. And the menwhichwere expressedby namerose up, and tookthe captives, and withthe spoilclothedallthat were nakedamong them, and arrayedthem, and shodthem, and gave them to eatand to drink, and anointedthem, and carriedallthe feebleof them upon asses, and broughtthem to Jericho, the city of palm trees, totheir brethren: then they returnedto Samaria. At thattimedid kingAhazsenduntothe kingsof Assyriato helphim. For againthe Edomiteshad comeand smittenJudah, and carried awaycaptives. The Philistinesalso had invadedthe citiesof the low country, and of the southof Judah, and had takenBeth-shemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shochowith the villagesthereof, and Timnahwith the villagesthereof, Gimzoalso and the villagesthereof: and they dweltthere. Forthe LORDbroughtJudahlow because ofAhazkingof Israel; forhe made Judah naked, and transgressedsoreagainst the LORD. And Tiglath-pileser kingof Assyriacameuntohim, and distressedhim, but strengthenedhim not. ForAhaztook away a portion out of the houseof the LORD, and out of the houseof the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the kingof Assyria: but he helpedhim not. And in the timeof his distressdid he trespassyet moreagainst the LORD: this is that kingAhaz. For he sacrificedunto the godsof Damascus, which smotehim: and he said, Becausethe godsof the kingsof Syriahelpthem, therefore will I sacrificeto them, that they may helpme. But theywerethe ruinof him, and of allIsrael. And Ahazgathered togetherthe vesselsof the houseof God, and cut in piecesthe vesselsof the houseof God, and shut upthe doorsof the houseof the LORD, and he madehim altarsin everycornerof Jerusalem. And in everyseveral cityof Judahhe madehigh placesto burn incenseunto othergods, and provoked to angerthe LORDGodof his fathers. Now the restof his actsand of allhis ways, firstand last, behold, they are writteninthe bookof the kingsof Judahand Israel. And Ahazsleptwithhis fathers, and they buriedhim in the city, even in Jerusalem: butthey broughthim notinto the sepulchersof the kingsof Israel: and Hezekiahhis sonreignedin his stead.