Ahaz’s idol-making in every Judean city demonstrated a direct departure from worshiping God, fueling Judah’s spiritual downfall until faithful leadership stepped in.
During the reign of King Ahaz of Judah (about 735 - 715 BC), Scripture describes him as an ungodly ruler who led his people astray. We read that he “did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord” and that he “burned incense in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and burned his children in the fire” (2 Chronicles 28:1-3). These actions underscore his devotion to Canaanite and Syrian gods rather than seeking help from the LORD. The chronicler explains that Ahaz “made molded images for the Baals,” and these idolatries involved some of the most heinous rituals imaginable, including child sacrifice, a practice strongly condemned by God throughout Scripture (2 Chronicles 28:2-3). King Ahaz is historically placed after his father Jotham (reigned c. 750 - 735 BC) and before his son Hezekiah (reigned c. 715 - 686 BC) in the timeline of Judah’s monarchs.
In every city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers, to anger. (v.25)
The above portion of Scripture (2 Chronicles 28:25) highlights the widespread nature of King Ahaz’s idolatry. He set up “high places” across Judah, solitarily defying God’s commandment to worship Him alone. “High places” originally were raised platforms where priests offered legitimate sacrifices (1 Chronicles 16:39-40), yet over time they became infiltrated by Baal worship and various pagan rites. Ahaz thus “provoked the LORD” by embracing these idolatrous customs and departing from the covenant that required single-hearted devotion to God (Exodus 20:3). This provocation of the LORD often resulted in dire consequences for Judah, ultimately contributing to the nation’s decline and to the Babylonian invasion over a century later (2 Chronicles 36).
Historically, Judah under Ahaz’s rule dismissed the reforms of better kings like Uzziah and Jotham, choosing instead to imitate the practices of surrounding nations. Ahaz even sought aid from Syrian gods when under attack, revealing the depth of his waywardness. Geographically, these “high places” were built throughout Judah’s terrain—stretching across its towns and hills—and served as altars to pagan deities instead of honoring the LORD in the Jerusalem Temple. This betrayal of God’s covenant signified the principal reason later prophets pronounced looming judgment and exile for the people if they did not repent (Isaiah 7; 2 Chronicles 28).
Though King Ahaz’s sins were grievous, the following generation saw a change when his son, Hezekiah, rose to the throne. Hezekiah sought to tear down these high places and restore proper worship (2 Chronicles 29-31). In the long arc of redemption, we see that God’s ultimate desire is to draw His people back to Himself, a pattern culminating in the coming of Jesus (John 4:23), who calls all people to worship God in spirit and truth, not in the imitation of false idols (1 John 5:21).
This verse emphasizes the reciprocal relationship of covenant faithfulness—when a king and his people turn away from the one true God, devastation results, but there is always an opportunity for renewal if they humble themselves and seek the Lord (2 Chronicles 7:14). God’s patience and love shine through even in such episodes of historical rebellion, showing His heart for restoration.
Such was how King Ahaz “provoked the LORD ... to anger” (v.25) by building idolatrous altars all over Judah.
He established a far-reaching culture of apostasy that would take a godly successor to overturn.
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2 Chronicles 28:25 meaning
During the reign of King Ahaz of Judah (about 735 - 715 BC), Scripture describes him as an ungodly ruler who led his people astray. We read that he “did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord” and that he “burned incense in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and burned his children in the fire” (2 Chronicles 28:1-3). These actions underscore his devotion to Canaanite and Syrian gods rather than seeking help from the LORD. The chronicler explains that Ahaz “made molded images for the Baals,” and these idolatries involved some of the most heinous rituals imaginable, including child sacrifice, a practice strongly condemned by God throughout Scripture (2 Chronicles 28:2-3). King Ahaz is historically placed after his father Jotham (reigned c. 750 - 735 BC) and before his son Hezekiah (reigned c. 715 - 686 BC) in the timeline of Judah’s monarchs.
In every city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers, to anger. (v.25)
The above portion of Scripture (2 Chronicles 28:25) highlights the widespread nature of King Ahaz’s idolatry. He set up “high places” across Judah, solitarily defying God’s commandment to worship Him alone. “High places” originally were raised platforms where priests offered legitimate sacrifices (1 Chronicles 16:39-40), yet over time they became infiltrated by Baal worship and various pagan rites. Ahaz thus “provoked the LORD” by embracing these idolatrous customs and departing from the covenant that required single-hearted devotion to God (Exodus 20:3). This provocation of the LORD often resulted in dire consequences for Judah, ultimately contributing to the nation’s decline and to the Babylonian invasion over a century later (2 Chronicles 36).
Historically, Judah under Ahaz’s rule dismissed the reforms of better kings like Uzziah and Jotham, choosing instead to imitate the practices of surrounding nations. Ahaz even sought aid from Syrian gods when under attack, revealing the depth of his waywardness. Geographically, these “high places” were built throughout Judah’s terrain—stretching across its towns and hills—and served as altars to pagan deities instead of honoring the LORD in the Jerusalem Temple. This betrayal of God’s covenant signified the principal reason later prophets pronounced looming judgment and exile for the people if they did not repent (Isaiah 7; 2 Chronicles 28).
Though King Ahaz’s sins were grievous, the following generation saw a change when his son, Hezekiah, rose to the throne. Hezekiah sought to tear down these high places and restore proper worship (2 Chronicles 29-31). In the long arc of redemption, we see that God’s ultimate desire is to draw His people back to Himself, a pattern culminating in the coming of Jesus (John 4:23), who calls all people to worship God in spirit and truth, not in the imitation of false idols (1 John 5:21).
This verse emphasizes the reciprocal relationship of covenant faithfulness—when a king and his people turn away from the one true God, devastation results, but there is always an opportunity for renewal if they humble themselves and seek the Lord (2 Chronicles 7:14). God’s patience and love shine through even in such episodes of historical rebellion, showing His heart for restoration.
Such was how King Ahaz “provoked the LORD ... to anger” (v.25) by building idolatrous altars all over Judah.
He established a far-reaching culture of apostasy that would take a godly successor to overturn.