2 Kings 16

7-9. So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser--In spite of the assurance given him by Isaiah by two signs, the one immediate, the other remote ( Isaiah 7:14 , 8:4 ), that the confederate kings would not prevail against him, Ahaz sought aid from the Assyrian monarch, to purchase which he sent the treasures of the palace and temple. Tiglath-pileser marched against Damascus, slew Rezin the king, and carried the people of Damascus into captivity to Kir, which is thought to have been the city Karine (now Kerend), in Media.

10-16. And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser--This was a visit of respect, and perhaps of gratitude. During his stay in that heathen city, Ahaz saw an altar with which he was greatly captivated. Forthwith a sketch of it was transmitted to Jerusalem, with orders to Urijah the priest to get one constructed according to the Damascus model, and let this new altar supersede the old one in the temple. Urijah, with culpable complaisance, acted according to his instructions ( 2 Kings 16:16 ). The sin in this affair consisted in meddling with, and improving according to human taste and fancy, the altars of the temple, the patterns of which had been furnished by divine authority ( Exodus 25:40 , 26:30 , 27:1 , 1 Chronicles 28:19 ). Urijah was one of the witnesses taken by Isaiah to bear his prediction against Syria and Israel ( Isaiah 8:2 ).

2 Kings 16:17-19 . HE SPOILS THE TEMPLE.

17. cut off the borders of the bases, &c.--It is thought that he did this to use the elaborate sculpture in adorning his palace.

18. the covert for the Sabbath--the portico through which the priests entered the temple on the Sabbath.
the king's entry without--a private external entrance for the king into the temple. The change made by Ahaz consisted in removing both of these into the temple from fear of the king of Assyria, that, in case of a siege, he might secure the entrance of the temple from him.