2 Chroniques - Caput 28

2 Chroniques 28.1 viginti annorum erat Achaz cum regnare coepisset et sedecim annis regnavit in Hierusalem non fecit rectum in conspectu Domini sicut David pater eius 2 Chroniques 28.2 sed ambulavit in viis regum Israhel insuper et statuas fudit Baalim 2 Chroniques 28.3 ipse est qui adolevit incensum in valle Benennon et lustravit filios suos in igne iuxta ritum gentium quas interfecit Dominus in adventu filiorum Israhel 2 Chroniques 28.4 sacrificabat quoque et thymiama succendebat in excelsis et in collibus et sub omni ligno frondoso 2 Chroniques 28.5 tradiditque eum Dominus Deus eius in manu regis Syriae qui percussit eum magnamque praedam de eius cepit imperio et adduxit in Damascum manibus quoque regis Israhel traditus est et percussus plaga grandi 2 Chroniques 28.6 occiditque Phacee filius Romeliae de Iuda centum viginti milia in die uno omnes viros bellatores eo quod reliquissent Dominum Deum patrum suorum 2 Chroniques 28.7 eodem tempore occidit Zechri vir potens ex Ephraim Masiam filium regis et Ezricam ducem domus eius Helcanam quoque secundum a rege 2 Chroniques 28.8 ceperuntque filii Israhel de fratribus suis ducenta milia mulierum puerorum et puellarum et infinitam praedam pertuleruntque eam in Samariam 2 Chroniques 28.9 ea tempestate erat ibi propheta Domini nomine Oded qui egressus obviam exercitui venientium in Samariam dixit eis ecce iratus Dominus Deus patrum vestrorum contra Iudam tradidit eos manibus vestris et occidistis illos atrociter ita ut caelum pertingeret vestra crudelitas 2 Chroniques 28.10 insuper filios Iuda et Hierusalem vultis vobis subicere in servos et ancillas quod nequaquam facto opus est peccatis enim super hoc Domino Deo vestro 2 Chroniques 28.11 sed audite consilium meum et reducite captivos quos adduxistis de fratribus vestris quia magnus furor Domini inminet vobis 2 Chroniques 28.12 steterunt itaque viri de principibus filiorum Ephraim Azarias filius Iohanan Barachias filius Mosollamoth Hiezechias filius Sellum et Amasa filius Adali contra eos qui veniebant de proelio 2 Chroniques 28.13 et dixerunt eis non introducetis huc captivos ne peccemus Domino quare vultis adicere super peccata nostra et vetera cumulare delicta grande quippe peccatum est et ira furoris Domini inminet super Israhel 2 Chroniques 28.14 dimiseruntque viri bellatores praedam et universa quae ceperant coram principibus et omni multitudine 2 Chroniques 28.15 steteruntque viri quos supra memoravimus et adprehendentes captivos omnesque qui nudi erant vestierunt de spoliis cumque vestissent eos et calciassent et refecissent cibo ac potu unxissent quoque propter laborem et adhibuissent eis curam quicumque ambulare non poterant et erant inbecillo corpore inposuerunt eos iumentis et adduxerunt Hierichum civitatem Palmarum ad fratres eorum ipsique reversi sunt Samariam 2 Chroniques 28.16 tempore illo misit rex Achaz ad regem Assyriorum auxilium postulans 2 Chroniques 28.17 veneruntque Idumei et percusserunt multos ex Iuda et ceperunt praedam magnam 2 Chroniques 28.18 Philisthim quoque diffusi sunt per urbes campestres et ad meridiem Iuda ceperuntque Bethsames et Ahilon et Gaderoth Soccho quoque et Thamnam et Gamzo cum viculis suis et habitaverunt in eis 2 Chroniques 28.19 humiliaverat enim Dominus Iudam propter Achaz regem Iuda eo quod nudasset eum auxilio et contemptui habuisset Dominum 2 Chroniques 28.20 adduxitque contra eum Thaglathphalnasar regem Assyriorum qui et adflixit eum et nullo resistente vastavit 2 Chroniques 28.21 igitur Achaz spoliata domo Domini et domo regum et principum dedit regi Assyriorum munera et tamen nihil ei profuit 2 Chroniques 28.22 insuper et in tempore angustiae suae auxit contemptum in Dominum ipse per se rex Achaz 2 Chroniques 28.23 immolavit diis Damasci victimas percussoribus suis et dixit dii regum Syriae auxiliantur eis quos ego placabo hostiis et aderunt mihi cum e contrario ipsi fuerint ruina eius et universo Israhel 2 Chroniques 28.24 direptis itaque Achaz omnibus vasis domus Dei atque confractis clusit ianuas templi Dei et fecit sibi altaria in universis angulis Hierusalem 2 Chroniques 28.25 in omnibus quoque urbibus Iuda extruxit aras ad cremandum tus atque ad iracundiam provocavit Dominum Deum patrum suorum 2 Chroniques 28.26 reliqua autem sermonum eius et omnium operum priorum et novissimorum scripta sunt in libro regum Iuda et Israhel 2 Chroniques 28.27 dormivitque Achaz cum patribus suis et sepelierunt eum in civitate Hierusalem neque enim receperunt eum in sepulchra regum Israhel regnavitque Ezechias filius eius pro eo

2 Chroniques : Caput 28

The Reign of Ahaz and Its Consequences

Chapter 28 of the book of 2 Chronicles immerses us in the reign of Ahaz, King of Judah, and warns us of the disastrous consequences of rejecting God. This alarming account highlights Ahaz's idolatry, his kingdom's military defeats, and divine intervention through the prophet Oded. It addresses essential themes such as the dangers of apostasy, divine judgment, and God's mercy, even in the midst of rebellion.

The Covenant with Assyria

Chapter 28 also evokes Ahaz's alliance with Assyria, a fateful choice that had profound repercussions for the people of Judah. This text calls us to reflect on the choices we make and their consequences for our relationship with God.

Revealing Bible Passages

Let's consider five Bible passages that shed light on the crucial warnings of this powerful chapter:

1. 2 Kings 16:2-4

"Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. Unlike David, his predecessor, he did not do what the Lord his God had approved. He followed the way of the kings of Israel and even went so far as to establish idols to worship the Baals. He burned sacrifices in the valleys and on all the high places, under every leafy tree."

This passage provides parallel information about Ahaz's reign and complements the account in 2 Chronicles 28.

2. Leviticus 26:17

"I will set my face against you, so that you will be defeated before your enemies; those who hate you will dominate you, and you will even flee when they are not pursued."

This curse of the covenant is fulfilled in Ahaz, as shown in 2 Chronicles 28:5-8.

3. Isaiah 7:1

"When Ahaz son of Jotham, the grandson of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came to Jerusalem to fight against it, but they could not defeat it."

This verse provides additional historical context to the events recorded in 2 Chronicles 28.

4. Hosea 5:10

"The leaders of Judah are like those who remove landmarks; I will pour out My wrath on them like water."

This prophetic verse reflects God's judgment on Judah during the reign of Ahaz.

5. Deuteronomy 12:2-3

"Completely destroy all the places where the nations you are about to expel worship their gods, on the mountaintops and on the hills and under every leafy tree. Tear down their altars, crush their sacred pillars, burn their sacred poles, and smash the idols of their gods, eliminating their names from those places."

These verses contrast with Ahaz's idolatrous actions, as described in 2 Chronicles 28:24-25.

Meditating on these passages, we are invited to consider our own faithfulness to God. and the consequences of our choices. May this story serve as a warning and a guide to our journey of faith.