2 Kings 16:5

5 King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel attacked Jerusalem and besieged it, but could not defeat Ahaz. ¹

2 Kings 16:5 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 16:5

Then Rezin king of Syria, and Pekah son of Remaliah king of
Israel, came up to Jerusalem to war
To fight with Ahaz, moved to it by the Lord, to chastise Ahaz for his idolatry, ( 2 Kings 15:37 ) ( 2 Chronicles 28:5 )

but could not overcome him;
so as to take Jerusalem, and set up another king there, as their scheme was, ( Isaiah 7:5 ) though they had both at other times got great advantages over him, and slew many of his people, and carried them captive, see ( 2 Chronicles 28:5-8 ) .

2 Kings 16:5 In-Context

3 and followed the example of the kings of Israel. He even sacrificed his own son as a burnt offering to idols, imitating the disgusting practice of the people whom the Lord had driven out of the land as the Israelites advanced.

4 At the pagan places of worship, on the hills, and under every shady tree, Ahaz offered sacrifices and burned incense.

5 King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel attacked Jerusalem and besieged it, but could not defeat Ahaz.

6 (At the same time the king of Edom regained control of the city of Elath and drove out the Judeans who lived there. The Edomites settled in Elath and still live there.)

7 Ahaz sent men to Tiglath Pileser, the emperor of Assyria, with this message: "I am your devoted servant. Come and rescue me from the kings of Syria and of Israel, who are attacking me."

Cross References

• 1. 1.10, 12Luke 9.54.