1. Ahaz son of Jotham became king of Judah during the 17th year that Pekah son of Remaliah was king of Israel.
2. Ahaz was 20 years old when he became king. He ruled 16 years in Jerusalem. Unlike his ancestor David, Ahaz did not do what the Lord said was right.
3. He did the same bad things the kings of Israel had done. He even burned his son as a sacrifice. He copied the terrible sins of the nations that the Lord had forced to leave the country when the Israelites came.
4. Ahaz made sacrifices and burned incense at the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.
5. King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel came to fight against Jerusalem. Rezin and Pekah surrounded Ahaz, but could not defeat him.