II Chronicles 28 Ahaz is wicked and the Syrians oppress him

 II Chronicles 28

Ahaz is wicked and the Syrians oppress him

1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. But he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as David his father had done.

2 But he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made molten images for Baalim.

3 He also burned incense in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and burned his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had driven out before the children of Israel.

4 He also sacrificed and burned incense on the high places and on the hills, and under every green tree.

5 Therefore the Lord his God delivered him into the hand of the king of the Syrians, who defeated him and carried away a great multitude of captives from him, and brought them to Damascus. He was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with a severe wound.

6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed in one day in Judah one hundred and twenty thousand, all of them warlike men, because they had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers. 

7 And Zincri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah, who was next to the king. 

8 And the children of Israel took captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters; and they also took much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria. 

9 And there was a prophet of the Lord there, whose name was Obed; and he went out to meet the army that was coming to Samaria, and said to them, Behold, the Lord, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, and delivered them into your hands; and you have killed them in a rage that reached to heaven. 

10 And now you are thinking of bringing the people of Judah and Jerusalem into captivity as captives, and are you not among them who are guilty of trespass against the Lord your God? 

11 Now therefore listen to me, and send back the captives whom you have brought captive from your brothers, for the fierce anger of the Lord is upon you.

 12 Then some of the leaders of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jezkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, rose up against those who were returning from the battle. 

13 And they said to them, “You shall not bring in these captives here, because in our trespass against the Lord you intend to add to our sins and to our trespass, since we are already guilty and the fierce anger is upon Israel.” 

14 Then the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the leaders and all the congregation.

15 And the men who were mentioned by name arose and took the captives, and clothed all who were naked among them with the spoil; and they clothed them, and shod them, and gave them food and drink, and anointed them; and all who were feeble they put on donkeys, and brought them to Jericho, to the city of palm trees, to their brethren; and they returned to Samaria.