Melachim II Perek 16

Melachim II Perek 16-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Evil kings were the norm for Israel, but the exception for Judah. Sadly, Ahaz was one of those exceptions. He was extremely idolatrous, going so far as to pass his son through fire as a form of worship to the idol Molech. Aram and Israel teamed up to make war on Judah, but they did not defeat Ahaz in battle. Aram did recapture one city and they evicted the Jews who were living there. 

Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglas Pileser, the king of Assyria. He sent as much gold and silver as was in the Temple and the palace for Assyria to drive away the invading forces of Aram and Israel. Tiglas Pileser drove away the invading armies and killed the king of Aram, but he did not return the captured territory to Judah. 

When the idolatrous Ahaz went to visit Tiglas Pileser, he saw the altar of the Assyrian idol and had a replica built in the Temple courtyard. He instructed that this was to be the main altar from now on, and Uriah the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) complied. Not only did this altar not belong in the Temple, Ahaz insisted on bringing sacrifices on it, even though he was not a Kohen (priest). The true altar became secondary. 

Ahaz went further to undermine the Temple service. He had the stands under the wash lavers and the “sea” removed and he disposed of the awning that the Kohanim would use for shelter on Shabbos when they changed shifts. He also made a personal shortcut to the palace. 

The reign of Ahaz was sixteen years. When he died, he was replaced by his son Hizkiyah , one of the greatest of all Jewish kings.

TanachStudy.com