2 Kings 16 | 2 Chronicles 28 | Isaiah 7-8

Ahaz, the son of king Jotham, became king in Judah and reigned for 16 years. He was exceedingly evil, and did many things to anger the Lord. He sacrificed his own children to false gods, he plundered and shut up the temple in Jerusalem, he built an alternate place of sacrifice and worship to idols in Jerusalem, and he aligned himself with the king of Assyria.

The Lord sends the prophet Isaiah to confront Ahaz, and tells him that He will protect Judah against the upcoming onslaught of Syria and Israel, although the king doesn’t want to hear what God is saying, and even refuses to ask for a sign from God to confirm His Word. In Isaiah 7:14 God gives Ahaz the sign, promising to bring forth a Son, born of a virgin, Who will be called Immanuel.