King Ahaz died, and Hezekiah ruled in his place in the City of David.
In this passage, we read: “So Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and his son Hezekiah became king in his place.” (2 Kings 16:20). Here, the phrase “slept with his fathers” is a common biblical expression indicating that King Ahaz died and joined his ancestors in death. The verse also tells us he was buried in the City of David, which is an ancient area within Jerusalem (in modern-day Israel) historically recognized as the original settlement conquered by King David (who reigned approximately 1010-970 BC) and the seat of the Judean monarchy. The verse then records that his son Hezekiah succeeded him as king, marking a transition in Judah’s royal lineage.
King Ahaz, whose reign lasted from about 735 to 715 BC, had a tumultuous rule of the southern kingdom of Judah, sometimes seeking alliances with nearby powers rather than relying entirely on the LORD. By drawing attention to his burial in the city of David, the text highlights his place among the Davidic rulers, underscoring his family’s ongoing place in the biblical promise that David’s lineage would continue (2 Samuel 7:16). Although Ahaz was not considered a righteous king, this reference to the city of David points back to God’s covenant faithfulness, eventually culminating in Jesus Christ—the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic promise (Matthew 1:1).
Hezekiah, who became king after Ahaz’s death, would go on to reform many of the practices introduced by previous kings, restoring worship of the LORD (2 Kings 18:1-7). Historically, Hezekiah reigned from approximately 715 to 686 BC and is lauded in Scripture for trusting in God’s power and authority. His ascent to the throne here in 2 Kings 16:20 sets the stage for a key spiritual turning point in Judah’s history, spotlighting the nation’s continued opportunity to place its faith in God.
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2 Kings 16:20 meaning
In this passage, we read: “So Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and his son Hezekiah became king in his place.” (2 Kings 16:20). Here, the phrase “slept with his fathers” is a common biblical expression indicating that King Ahaz died and joined his ancestors in death. The verse also tells us he was buried in the City of David, which is an ancient area within Jerusalem (in modern-day Israel) historically recognized as the original settlement conquered by King David (who reigned approximately 1010-970 BC) and the seat of the Judean monarchy. The verse then records that his son Hezekiah succeeded him as king, marking a transition in Judah’s royal lineage.
King Ahaz, whose reign lasted from about 735 to 715 BC, had a tumultuous rule of the southern kingdom of Judah, sometimes seeking alliances with nearby powers rather than relying entirely on the LORD. By drawing attention to his burial in the city of David, the text highlights his place among the Davidic rulers, underscoring his family’s ongoing place in the biblical promise that David’s lineage would continue (2 Samuel 7:16). Although Ahaz was not considered a righteous king, this reference to the city of David points back to God’s covenant faithfulness, eventually culminating in Jesus Christ—the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic promise (Matthew 1:1).
Hezekiah, who became king after Ahaz’s death, would go on to reform many of the practices introduced by previous kings, restoring worship of the LORD (2 Kings 18:1-7). Historically, Hezekiah reigned from approximately 715 to 686 BC and is lauded in Scripture for trusting in God’s power and authority. His ascent to the throne here in 2 Kings 16:20 sets the stage for a key spiritual turning point in Judah’s history, spotlighting the nation’s continued opportunity to place its faith in God.