2 Kings 16 · a question people ask
Was it wrong for Ahaz to build an altar like the one at Damascus?
In 16:10-16 the chapter tells what was done and doesn't comment on it. Its verdict on Ahaz comes before: "He didn’t do that which was right in the LORD his God’s eyes, like David his father" (16:2). The word for the plans Ahaz sent (16:10) is the word for the tabernacle's pattern, "which has been shown to you on the mountain" (Exodus 25:40). The bronze altar that had stood "before the LORD" (16:14) was moved aside, and the offerings the people brought went to "the great altar" (16:15). 2 Chronicles 28 tells Ahaz's reign without the altar from Damascus. It says that "In the time of his distress, he trespassed yet more against the LORD, this same King Ahaz" (2 Chronicles 28:22), that "he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him" (2 Chronicles 28:23), and that "he made himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem" (2 Chronicles 28:24). 2 Kings leaves its own account to speak for itself.
The verses
“Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He didn’t do that which was right in the LORD his God’s eyes, like David his father.”
“See that you make them after their pattern, which has been shown to you on the mountain.”
“In the time of his distress, he trespassed yet more against the LORD, this same King Ahaz. For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him. He said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them, that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. Ahaz gathered together the vessels of God’s house, cut the vessels of God’s house in pieces, and shut up the doors of the LORD’s house; and he made himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem.”