2 Kings 16:5 - Exposition

Then Rezin King of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah King of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war. The alliance between Rezin and Pekah has been already glanced at ( 2 Kings 16:1-20 :37). It began, apparently, in the reign of Jotham. The policy which brought it about was one that was entirely new. Since Syria developed an aggressive tendency under the first Ben-hadad ( 1 Kings 20:1 ), there had till now been no alliance made with her by either of the two Israelite kingdoms. She had been reckoned as their common enemy; and while they had on two occasions been allied together against her ( 1 Kings 22:4-36 ; 2 Kings 8:28 ), never as yet had either asked her help against the other. Now, however, Ephraim became confederate with Syria against Judah. The new policy must be ascribed to the new condition of things consequent upon the attitude assumed by Assyria under Tiglath-pileser. Assyria had been under a cloud for forty years. The nations of the western coast of Asia had ceased to fear her, and had felt at liberty to pursue their own quarrels. Her recovery of vigor altered the whole situation. It was at once evident to the statesmen who directed the policy of the small western states that, unless they combined; they were lost. Hence the alliance between Pekah and Rezin. Probably they would have been glad to have drawn Ahaz into the confederacy; but it would seem that he did not share their fears, and would not join them. Hereupon the design was formed to dethrone him, and set up in his place a new ruler, a certain Ben-Tabeal ( Isaiah 7:6 ), on whose assistance they could rely. The two confederate princes then began the campaign. Pekah invaded Judaea, and gained a great victory over Ahaz, which is perhaps exaggerated in 2 Chronicles 28:6-15 ; Rezin carried his arms further south, took Elath, and reestablished the Edomites in power (see the comment on 2 Chronicles 28:6 ). Then the allies joined forces and proceeded to besiege Jerusalem. And they besieged Ahaz, but could not ever-come him. The siege is mentioned by Isaiah 7:1 , who was commissioned by God to comfort Ahaz, and assure him that the city would not fall ( Isaiah 7:7 ). The fortifications of Uzziah ( 2 Chronicles 26:9 ) and Jotham ( 2 Chronicles 27:3 ) had, no doubt, greatly strengthened the city since the time when (as related in 2 Kings 14:13 ) it was captured so easily by Joash.