11Ahaz was twentyyearsold when he becameking, and he reignedsixteen*years in Jerusalem; and 2he did not doright in the sight of the LORD as David his father had done.
2
3But he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel; he also4mademoltenimages for the Baals.
3
Moreover, 5he burnedincense in the valley of Ben-hinnom* and 6burned his sons in fire, 7according to the abominations of the nationswhom the LORD had driven out before* the sons of Israel.
4
He sacrificed and 8burnedincense on the highplaces, on the hills and undereverygreentree.
Judah Is Invaded
5 Wherefore, 9the LORD his Goddelivered him into the hand of the king of Aram; and they defeated him and carried away from him a great number of captives and brought them to Damascus. And he was alsodelivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who inflicted him with heavycasualties.
6
For 10Pekah the son of Remaliahslew in Judah120,000** in oneday, allvaliantmen, because they had forsaken the LORDGod of their fathers.
7
And Zichri, a mightyman of Ephraim, slewMaaseiah the king'sson and Azrikam the ruler of the house and Elkanah the second to the king.
8
11The sons of Israelcarried away captive of 12their brethren200,000*women, sons and daughters; and they tookalso a greatdeal of spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.
9
But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded; and 13he went out to meet the army which came to Samaria and said to them, "Behold, because the LORD, the God of your fathers, 14was angry with Judah, He has delivered them into your hand, and you have slain them in a rage15which has evenreachedheaven.
10
"Now you are proposing to 16subjugate for yourselves the people of Judah and Jerusalem for male and femaleslaves*. Surely, do you not have transgressions of your own against the LORD your God?
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"Now therefore, listen to me and return the captives17whom you captured from your brothers, 18for the burninganger of the LORD is against you."