This verse shows how God’s covenant promises endure, even when earthly kings and armies threaten His people.
Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to wage war; and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him (v.5). This passage takes place in the middle of a geopolitical struggle during the mid-8th century BC, when Aram (ancient Syria) and the northern kingdom of Israel formed an alliance against the southern kingdom of Judah. Their intent was to pressure King Ahaz of Judah into joining forces against the rising threat of Assyria. Despite the besieging of Jerusalem, their attempt fails—they could not overcome him—indicating that Judah remains unconquered at this point.
Rezin was the king of Aram (with Damascus as its capital), and Pekah son of Remaliah was ruling the northern kingdom of Israel after a series of dynastic instabilities. King Ahaz, who was the son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah, reigned in Judah approximately from 732-716 BC. Facing the imminent danger posed by these two opposing kings, Ahaz was confronted with a major test of faith. Although his response to the crisis (as recorded in other passages) was to seek political support from Assyria rather than relying fully on the LORD (2 Kings 16:7-9), this verse still highlights how the alliance of Aram and Israel ultimately fails in its direct assault.
From a theological perspective, the inability of Rezin and Pekah to overtake Jerusalem underscores the sovereign hand of God in preserving Judah’s lineage, a line through which the Messiah—Jesus—would ultimately come (Matthew 1:1-2). Even though King Ahaz failed to exhibit strong faith, God’s plan moved forward in protecting David’s dynasty. A pattern emerges throughout Scripture: powerful alliances may conspire, but the LORD’s greater purpose stands (Psalm 2:1-6).
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2 Kings 16:5 meaning
Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to wage war; and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him (v.5). This passage takes place in the middle of a geopolitical struggle during the mid-8th century BC, when Aram (ancient Syria) and the northern kingdom of Israel formed an alliance against the southern kingdom of Judah. Their intent was to pressure King Ahaz of Judah into joining forces against the rising threat of Assyria. Despite the besieging of Jerusalem, their attempt fails—they could not overcome him—indicating that Judah remains unconquered at this point.
Rezin was the king of Aram (with Damascus as its capital), and Pekah son of Remaliah was ruling the northern kingdom of Israel after a series of dynastic instabilities. King Ahaz, who was the son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah, reigned in Judah approximately from 732-716 BC. Facing the imminent danger posed by these two opposing kings, Ahaz was confronted with a major test of faith. Although his response to the crisis (as recorded in other passages) was to seek political support from Assyria rather than relying fully on the LORD (2 Kings 16:7-9), this verse still highlights how the alliance of Aram and Israel ultimately fails in its direct assault.
From a theological perspective, the inability of Rezin and Pekah to overtake Jerusalem underscores the sovereign hand of God in preserving Judah’s lineage, a line through which the Messiah—Jesus—would ultimately come (Matthew 1:1-2). Even though King Ahaz failed to exhibit strong faith, God’s plan moved forward in protecting David’s dynasty. A pattern emerges throughout Scripture: powerful alliances may conspire, but the LORD’s greater purpose stands (Psalm 2:1-6).