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== Early life and family ==

== Early life and family ==

Ahaz was the son and successor of King [[Jotham]], and was born when his father was twenty-one years old. His full name was Jehoahaz, but either he or the historians who remembered him in the [[Bible]] dropped the "Jeho-" root of his name--because he rejected [[Yahweh]] as his [[God]] by looting the Temple and closing it's doors.

Ahaz was the son and successor of King [[Jotham]], and was born when his father was twenty-one years old. His full name was Jehoahaz, but either he or the historians who remembered him in the [[Bible]] dropped the "Jeho-" root of his name—because he rejected [[Yahweh]] as his [[God]] by looting the Temple and closing it's doors.

The chronological data in the the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles reveal that Ahaz sired his son [[Hezekiah]] upon [[Abigail]], daughter of [[Zechariah]] the [[high priest]], when he was ten or eleven years old.  Though it may seem improbable for anyone to become a father at such a young age, there is ample evidence that it was both possible and probable for a crown prince at that time in history.

The chronological data in the the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles reveal that Ahaz sired his son [[Hezekiah]] upon [[Abigail]], daughter of [[Zechariah]] the [[high priest]], when he was ten or eleven years old.  Though it may seem improbable for anyone to become a father at such a young age, there is ample evidence that it was both possible and probable for a crown prince at that time in history.

While Ahaz's age at the birth of his son is unusually young, even by ancient standards, it should be remembered that the importance of producing an heir in a hereditary monarchy has led to many unusual marriage practices amongst the royalty of various nations throughout history. The general trend has been to arrange marriage of the son to a woman of high birth and the royal couple would marry young.

While Ahaz's age at the birth of his son is unusually young, even by ancient standards, it should be remembered that the importance of producing an heir in a hereditary monarchy has led to many unusual marriage practices amongst the royalty of various nations throughout history. The general trend has been to arrange marriage of the son to a woman of high birth and the royal couple would marry young.

The normal age range for the onset of puberty in boys is 10.6 to 12.2 years.  Obesity is one of several factors that has been found to accelerate the onset of puberty by months or years earlier than normal.<ref>Bone Age and Onset of Puberty in Normal Boys, Armando Flor-Cisneros, James N. Roemmich, Alan D. Rogol, and Jeffrey Baron, Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2006 July 25; 254-255: 202–206.</ref>. It is possible that his social position as crown prince made Ahaz more likely to experience early puberty due to a high quality diet.  

The normal age range for the onset of puberty in boys is 10.6 to 12.2 years.  Obesity is one of several factors that has been found to accelerate the onset of puberty by months or years earlier than normal.<ref>Bone Age and Onset of Puberty in Normal Boys, Armando Flor-Cisneros, James N. Roemmich, Alan D. Rogol, and Jeffrey Baron, Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2006 July 25; 254-255: 202–206.</ref> It is possible that his social position as crown prince made Ahaz more likely to experience early puberty due to a high quality diet.  

The Bible gives ages and lengths of reign in years, leaving some room for play in the unit of time.  Ahaz could have been one month shy of his twenty-first birthday when he took the throne on the 1st of [[Nissan]], the inauguration day for kings of Judah<ref>Floyd Nolan Jones, The Chronology of the Old Testament, Master Books Edition, Third Printing, 1993-2005, p. 130</ref>, and still been "twenty years of age."  Since exactly 16 years passed until Hezekiah's inauguration on Nissan 1 at age 25, we find that 16+20-25 gives us eleven years with 11 months of play. Therefore Ahaz sired Hezekiah between the age of 10 years and three months, and the age of 11 years and two months.  This is very close to the normal range for the onset of puberty in boys.

The Bible gives ages and lengths of reign in years, leaving some room for play in the unit of time.  Ahaz could have been one month shy of his twenty-first birthday when he took the throne on the 1st of [[Nissan]], the inauguration day for kings of Judah,<ref>Floyd Nolan Jones, The Chronology of the Old Testament, Master Books Edition, Third Printing, 1993-2005, p. 130</ref> and still been "twenty years of age."  Since exactly 16 years passed until Hezekiah's inauguration on Nissan 1 at age 25, we find that 16+20-25 gives us eleven years with 11 months of play. Therefore Ahaz sired Hezekiah between the age of 10 years and three months, and the age of 11 years and two months.  This is very close to the normal range for the onset of puberty in boys.

The question is whether it would be socially acceptable or likely for Ahaz to have been married at such a young age. Egypt had been a major influence on the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel since Solomon's day.  The Northern Kingdom of Israel was essentially a client state of Egypt from its inception<ref>1 Kings 11:40</ref>. [[Jeraboam]] returned from Egypt after Solomon's death and led the ten tribes into rebellion against the House of David.  As soon as the ten tribes of Israel made him king, he set up golden calves from the Egyptian Apis cult for the Israelites to worship - his goal being to reduce the influence of Jerusalem over his people.

The question is whether it would be socially acceptable or likely for Ahaz to have been married at such a young age. Egypt had been a major influence on the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel since Solomon's day.  The Northern Kingdom of Israel was essentially a client state of Egypt from its inception.<ref>1 Kings 11:40</ref> [[Jeraboam]] returned from Egypt after Solomon's death and led the ten tribes into rebellion against the House of David.  As soon as the ten tribes of Israel made him king, he set up golden calves from the Egyptian Apis cult for the Israelites to worship - his goal being to reduce the influence of Jerusalem over his people.

The monarchy period of Israel and Judah can be firmly dated as contemporary with the 18th and 19th dynasties of Egypt, which conventional historians have placed six centuries too early.  This historical revision was first suggested by Immanuel Velikovsky, and much ridiculed, but has since been confirmed beyond doubt by revisionist scholars such as Damien Mackey<ref>http://specialtyinterests.net/amarna.html</ref>.

The monarchy period of Israel and Judah can be firmly dated as contemporary with the 18th and 19th dynasties of Egypt, which conventional historians have placed six centuries too early.  This historical revision was first suggested by Immanuel Velikovsky, and much ridiculed, but has since been confirmed beyond doubt by revisionist scholars such as Damien Mackey.<ref>http://specialtyinterests.net/amarna.html</ref>

Pre-puberty [[child marriage]] was commonly practiced by the royal houses of Egypt. One of the proverbs of the Egyptian seer, [[Ptah Hotep]], was, "If you have already made yourself a name, then start a family<ref>http://www.touregypt.net/historicalessays/lifeinEgypt8.htm</ref>." The Pharaohs of the 18th and 19th Dynasties appear to have taken this advice to the extreme.  Tutankhamen is widely believed by scholars to have married his sister at age nine when he ascended the throne<ref>http://www.touregypt.net/historicalessays/lifeinEgypt8.htm</ref>, having two short-lived daughters prior to his death nine years later.

Pre-puberty [[child marriage]] was commonly practiced by the royal houses of Egypt. One of the proverbs of the Egyptian seer, [[Ptah Hotep]], was, "If you have already made yourself a name, then start a family.<ref name="touregypt.net">http://www.touregypt.net/historicalessays/lifeinEgypt8.htm</ref>" The Pharaohs of the 18th and 19th Dynasties appear to have taken this advice to the extreme.  Tutankhamen is widely believed by scholars to have married his sister at age nine when he ascended the throne,<ref name="touregypt.net"/> having two short-lived daughters prior to his death nine years later.

Given that the besetting sin of the kings of Israel and Judah was to chase after the social and religious customs of their pagan neighbors, it should not be surprising to find that some of the monarchs of Judah contemporary with the 19th Dynasty adopted the Egyptian custom of royal child marriage.

Given that the besetting sin of the kings of Israel and Judah was to chase after the social and religious customs of their pagan neighbors, it should not be surprising to find that some of the monarchs of Judah contemporary with the 19th Dynasty adopted the Egyptian custom of royal child marriage.

=== Chronological problems ===

=== Chronological problems ===

As problematical as Ahaz' siring of a son at eleven might have seemed, the timeline of [[Edwin R. Thiele]] presents a worse obstacle. According to Thiele, Ahaz was born in 755 BC, and Hezekiah began to reign in 729 BC, at the age of twenty-five. Therefore Hezekiah would have to have been born in 754 BC--when Ahaz was only a year old. That ''would'' be medically impossible.

As problematical as Ahaz' siring of a son at eleven might have seemed, the timeline of [[Edwin R. Thiele]] presents a worse obstacle. According to Thiele, Ahaz was born in 755 BC, and Hezekiah began to reign in 729 BC, at the age of twenty-five. Therefore Hezekiah would have to have been born in 754 BC—when Ahaz was only a year old. That ''would'' be medically impossible.

Even if Ahaz was five years older when he began to reign, he would have had to sire Hezekiah at the age of six--still too young. Wood, following Thiele's numbers, suggests<ref name=Wood/> that Hezekiah was ''[[viceroy]]'' under Ahaz beginning in 729 BC and became ''sole ruler'' at 724 BC, at the age of twenty-five (so that Hezekiah could deal with [[Sennacherib]]'s invasion in 710 BC, in the "fourteenth year of his reign"). But the best that Thiele can accomplish is still to have Hezekiah born when Ahaz was eleven years old.

Even if Ahaz was five years older when he began to reign, he would have had to sire Hezekiah at the age of six—still too young. Wood, following Thiele's numbers, suggests<ref name=Wood/> that Hezekiah was ''[[viceroy]]'' under Ahaz beginning in 729 BC and became ''sole ruler'' at 724 BC, at the age of twenty-five (so that Hezekiah could deal with [[Sennacherib]]'s invasion in 710 BC, in the "fourteenth year of his reign"). But the best that Thiele can accomplish is still to have Hezekiah born when Ahaz was eleven years old.

== Accession ==

== Accession ==

== Domestic affairs ==

== Domestic affairs ==

Ahaz undid all of the good that his grandfather and father had done.<ref name=GeoCities>Authors unknown. "[http://www.geocities.com/thekingsofisrael/biography_Ahaz.html King Ahaz - Biography]." ''The Kings of Israel'', hosted at http://www.geocities.com/ Retrieved June 4, 2007.</ref><ref name=CCM>David Holt Boshert, Jr., and David Ettinger, [http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/kings/ahaz.htm Ahaz King of Judah], Christ-Centered Mall. Retrieved June 4, 2007</ref><ref name=Gordon>Gordon, I. "[http://www.jesusplusnothing.com/studies/online/ahaz.htm King Ahaz: The Darkness Before the Dawn]." JesusPlusNothing.com. Retrieved June 4, 2007.</ref> He forsook God completely and followed the still-prevalent [[Baal]]ism, even to making cast-metal images of Baal.<ref name=ISBE/> "He sacrificed also and burnt incense on the [[high place]]s, and on the hills, and under every green tree."<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=28|verses=4|version=KJV}}</ref> The Bible records that Ahaz offered one of his sons "in the fire" of human sacrifice. This was probably a sacrifice to [[Molech]] or Baal Melquart, because this was exactly the sort of sacrifice that these cults routinely performed.<ref name=CCM/><ref name=ISBE/> The only other historical record of the sacrifice of a royal prince was done under great distress, when the King of [[Moab]] about to be defeated in war<ref>2 Kings 3:27</ref>. Given this historical precedent, Ahaz probably sacrificed his son while seeking help from a pagan god to defend the nation from the armies of Damascus and Israel, or possibly from his "ally" [[Tiglath-Pileser III]] of [[Assyria]].

Ahaz undid all of the good that his grandfather and father had done.<ref name=GeoCities>Authors unknown. "[http://www.geocities.com/thekingsofisrael/biography_Ahaz.html King Ahaz - Biography]." ''The Kings of Israel'', hosted at http://www.geocities.com/ Retrieved June 4, 2007.</ref><ref name=CCM>David Holt Boshert, Jr., and David Ettinger, [http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/kings/ahaz.htm Ahaz King of Judah], Christ-Centered Mall. Retrieved June 4, 2007</ref><ref name=Gordon>Gordon, I. "[http://www.jesusplusnothing.com/studies/online/ahaz.htm King Ahaz: The Darkness Before the Dawn]." JesusPlusNothing.com. Retrieved June 4, 2007.</ref> He forsook God completely and followed the still-prevalent [[Baal]]ism, even to making cast-metal images of Baal.<ref name=ISBE/> "He sacrificed also and burnt incense on the [[high place]]s, and on the hills, and under every green tree."<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=28|verses=4|version=KJV}}</ref> The Bible records that Ahaz offered one of his sons "in the fire" of human sacrifice. This was probably a sacrifice to [[Molech]] or Baal Melquart, because this was exactly the sort of sacrifice that these cults routinely performed.<ref name=ISBE/><ref name=CCM/> The only other historical record of the sacrifice of a royal prince was done under great distress, when the King of [[Moab]] about to be defeated in war.<ref>2 Kings 3:27</ref>  Given this historical precedent, Ahaz probably sacrificed his son while seeking help from a pagan god to defend the nation from the armies of Damascus and Israel, or possibly from his "ally" [[Tiglath-Pileser III]] of [[Assyria]].

In perhaps the fourth year of his reign, Ahaz traveled to [[Damascus]] for a meeting of state with King Tiglath-Pileser III of [[Assyria]]. While in that city, Ahaz saw an altar that he found attractive. He ordered a priest named [[Urijah]] to build an altar like that in [[Jerusalem]]. When it was completed, Ahaz performed all his sacrifices on this altar, and even took furnishings and fittings from the [[Temple of Jerusalem]] to augment it. Before his reign was over, he would shut the Temple doors, so that no activities would take place in it.<ref name=GeoCities/><ref name=Gordon/><ref name=ISBE/>

In perhaps the fourth year of his reign, Ahaz traveled to [[Damascus]] for a meeting of state with King Tiglath-Pileser III of [[Assyria]]. While in that city, Ahaz saw an altar that he found attractive. He ordered a priest named [[Urijah]] to build an altar like that in [[Jerusalem]]. When it was completed, Ahaz performed all his sacrifices on this altar, and even took furnishings and fittings from the [[Temple of Jerusalem]] to augment it. Before his reign was over, he would shut the Temple doors, so that no activities would take place in it.<ref name=ISBE/><ref name=GeoCities/><ref name=Gordon/>

In addition to this altar, Ahaz built high places of his own in every city in his kingdom, and other altars, too. He also apparently built a sundial, because his son [[Hezekiah]] would receive an [[Astronomy|astronomical]] sign that this dial would display.<ref name=ISBE/>

In addition to this altar, Ahaz built high places of his own in every city in his kingdom, and other altars, too. He also apparently built a sundial, because his son [[Hezekiah]] would receive an [[Astronomy|astronomical]] sign that this dial would display.<ref name=ISBE/>

During the Syrian-Israel War, Ahaz sought help from [[Tiglath-Pileser III]],<ref name=CCM/> who in fact recorded the interaction on one of his inscriptions. Ahaz paid Tiglath-Pileser a heavy tribute, which he financed partly from the [[Temple of Jerusalem|Temple]],<ref name=ISBE/> partly from the royal treasury, and partly from the heads of the leading families. The deal was mostly one-sided, primarily because it made the Southern Kingdom a vassal state of Assyria.

During the Syrian-Israel War, Ahaz sought help from [[Tiglath-Pileser III]],<ref name=CCM/> who in fact recorded the interaction on one of his inscriptions. Ahaz paid Tiglath-Pileser a heavy tribute, which he financed partly from the [[Temple of Jerusalem|Temple]],<ref name=ISBE/> partly from the royal treasury, and partly from the heads of the leading families. The deal was mostly one-sided, primarily because it made the Southern Kingdom a vassal state of Assyria.

Tiglath-Pileser did not send aid against the Edomites or the Philistines. But he did, for his own reasons, attack both Edom and Philistia--or so he boasted in his inscriptions.<ref name=Wood/> He also attacked Syria and the Northern Kingdom and lay them waste. He killed Rezin and captured Damascus--whereupon Ahaz agreed to meet Tiglath-Pileser in that city, and that was when Ahaz saw the altar that fascinated him so. Tiglath-Pileser also brought a humiliation upon Pekah that moved one of his generals to murder. [[Hoshea]] killed Pekah, whereupon (according to Ussher<ref name=Ussher/>) the Northern Kingdom fell into anarchy for nine years. Ahaz would never have to worry about an attack from Syria or the Northern Kingdom again--though this "security" came at the price of national sovereignty.<ref name=GeoCities/>

Tiglath-Pileser did not send aid against the Edomites or the Philistines. But he did, for his own reasons, attack both Edom and Philistia—or so he boasted in his inscriptions.<ref name=Wood/> He also attacked Syria and the Northern Kingdom and lay them waste. He killed Rezin and captured Damascus—whereupon Ahaz agreed to meet Tiglath-Pileser in that city, and that was when Ahaz saw the altar that fascinated him so. Tiglath-Pileser also brought a humiliation upon Pekah that moved one of his generals to murder. [[Hoshea]] killed Pekah, whereupon (according to Ussher<ref name=Ussher/>) the Northern Kingdom fell into anarchy for nine years. Ahaz would never have to worry about an attack from Syria or the Northern Kingdom again—though this "security" came at the price of national sovereignty.<ref name=GeoCities/>

== Dealings with Prophets ==

== Dealings with Prophets ==

Isaiah also offered Ahaz a sign, but Ahaz hypocritically refused, saying that he would not "tempt God." Isaiah gave him a sign anyway, and that the most famous prophetic sign of all:<blockquote>The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Isaiah|chap=7|verses=14|version=NIV}}</ref></blockquote>

Isaiah also offered Ahaz a sign, but Ahaz hypocritically refused, saying that he would not "tempt God." Isaiah gave him a sign anyway, and that the most famous prophetic sign of all:<blockquote>The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Isaiah|chap=7|verses=14|version=NIV}}</ref></blockquote>

The significance to Ahaz, if Ahaz had paid attention, was that the [[House of David]] could not possibly fail before the fulfillment of that sign--and a true prophet never gives a sign that does not fulfill itself eventually.

The significance to Ahaz, if Ahaz had paid attention, was that the [[House of David]] could not possibly fail before the fulfillment of that sign—and a true prophet never gives a sign that does not fulfill itself eventually.

Isaiah<ref name=Isaiah/> and Micah<ref name=Micah/> both spoke vigorously against the rampant idolatry and apostasy that they witnessed during Ahaz' reign.<ref name=White>White, Ellen G. "[http://www.whiteestate.org/books/pk/pk27.html Chapter 27: Ahaz]." ''[http://www.whiteestate.org/books/pk/pk.asp Prophets and Kings]'', 1999. Retrieved June 4, 2007.</ref>

Isaiah<ref name=Isaiah/> and Micah<ref name=Micah/> both spoke vigorously against the rampant idolatry and apostasy that they witnessed during Ahaz' reign.<ref name=White>White, Ellen G. "[http://www.whiteestate.org/books/pk/pk27.html Chapter 27: Ahaz]." ''[http://www.whiteestate.org/books/pk/pk.asp Prophets and Kings]'', 1999. Retrieved June 4, 2007.</ref>

The [[Bible]] says that Ahaz reigned for sixteen years, and died at the age of thirty-six.<ref name=ISBE/> [[Edwin R. Thiele|Thiele]] shows Ahaz reigning, in one capacity or another, for twenty years. The arithmetic suggests that Thiele projected for Ahaz a three-year [[viceroy]]alty followed by a sixteen- or seventeen-year reign.

The [[Bible]] says that Ahaz reigned for sixteen years, and died at the age of thirty-six.<ref name=ISBE/> [[Edwin R. Thiele|Thiele]] shows Ahaz reigning, in one capacity or another, for twenty years. The arithmetic suggests that Thiele projected for Ahaz a three-year [[viceroy]]alty followed by a sixteen- or seventeen-year reign.

In any case, the Chronicler specifically states that Ahaz was buried in Jerusalem, but ''was not'' buried in the sepulchers of the kings.<ref name=Chronicles/><ref name=GeoCities/><ref name=ISBE/> His son Hezekiah succeeded him.

In any case, the Chronicler specifically states that Ahaz was buried in Jerusalem, but ''was not'' buried in the sepulchers of the kings.<ref name=Chronicles/><ref name=ISBE/><ref name=GeoCities/> His son Hezekiah succeeded him.

Concerning that last: [[James Ussher|Ussher]] specifically states<ref name=Ussher/> that Hezekiah was viceroy under Ahaz during the last year of Ahaz' reign. [[Edwin R. Thiele|Thiele]] seems to suggest that Ahaz made Hezekiah his viceroy beginning in the ''fifth'' year of his, Ahaz', reign, and lasting for seven-eighths of that reign.  

Concerning that last: [[James Ussher|Ussher]] specifically states<ref name=Ussher/> that Hezekiah was viceroy under Ahaz during the last year of Ahaz' reign. [[Edwin R. Thiele|Thiele]] seems to suggest that Ahaz made Hezekiah his viceroy beginning in the ''fifth'' year of his, Ahaz', reign, and lasting for seven-eighths of that reign.  

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== See Also ==

== See also ==

* [[Jotham]]

* [[Jotham]]

* [[Hezekiah]]

* [[Hezekiah]]