Text:EBD:Ahaz

"Ahaz" means "Possessor"

Grandson of Jonathan

Ahaz was the son and successor of Jotham, king of Judah (Text:EBD:2 Kings 16; Isaiah 7-9; 2 Chronicles 28). He gave himself up to a life of evil and idolatry. Notwithstanding the remonstrances and warnings of Isaiah, Hosea, and Micah, he appealed for help against Rezin, king of Damascus, and Pekah, king of Israel, who threatened Jerusalem, to Tiglath-pileser, the king of Assyria, to the great injury of his kingdom and his own humilating subjection to the Assyrians (Text:EBD:2 Kings 16:7, 2 Kings 16:9; 2 Kings 15:29). He also introduced among his people many heathen and idolatrous customs (Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 38:8; 2 Kings 23:12). He died at the age of thirty-five years, after reigning sixteen years (B.C. 740-724), and was succeeded by his son Hezekiah. Because of his wickedness he was "not brought into the sepulchre of the kings."