Ahaz was the son of king Jotham and a grandson of King Uzziah who died in the year the Lord called Isaiah to be his spokesman.

King Ahaz was twenty years when he succeeded his father Jotham who had died at the time that Pekah was the king of Israel and Rezin king of Syria.

It was also during this period that the kings of Israel and Syria had begun their attempt to force Judah to join with them to resist the Assyrian forces and possible dominance. He ruled Judah before the war with Syria broke out and his reign lasted for sixteen years.

Therefore, King Ahaz, faced a political crisis and dilemma right from the start of his reign. He had to settle the Syrian-Israel issue which his father, Jotham, had died before solving. Besides, the threat from the powerful neighbour, Assyria was real.

In such a state of confusion, King Ahaz chose to ally with Assyria. Consequently, Syria and Israel attacked Jerusalem but failed to capture it. Accordingly, it is presented that this new wave of war terrified King Ahaz and the people of Judah that they trembled like trees shaking in the wind.

The above state of affairs presented prophet Isaiah with a huge task. His prophetic activities had to become more pronounced.

In response, the Lord sent Isaiah with his message to King Ahaz including the following. By taking his son Shear Jashub to meet King Ahaz, Isaiah was giving an assurance that some people would survive or be spared. Shear Jashub was a symbolical name which meant "a remnant shall return"

Isaiah urged King Ahaz to keep alert, stay calm and strong hearted. This was an assurance to the king that all would be well.

Isaiah told King Ahaz that the threat from Syria and Israel were not as dangerous as he was taking it to be.

Isaiah called upon King Ahaz to trust in the Lord for his protection instead of fearing the earthly power.

The prophet assured king Ahaz that the Lord would protect him from any danger. Therefore, the king had to ignore the threat from Syria and Israel.

Isaiah revealed to King Ahaz that Syria's and Israel's plot to invade Judah was only to terrify the people into joining their side and then put someone else on the throne.

Isaiah assured King Ahaz that the plot by Syria and Israel to invade Judah would never happen. Those nations were not strong enough to carry out their threat.

Isaiah prophesied that Israel would be shattered to survive as a nation within the next -sixty-five years.

Isaiah encouraged King Ahaz to have enduring faith or else he would not endure the threatening situations before him.

Isaiah urged King Ahaz to ask the Lord to give him a sign being it from deep in the world of the dead or from high up in heaven. This sign was prove to the king that the threat against Judah would soon disappear.

However, king Ahaz refused to ask God for sign reasoning that he could not put his God to that test.

Isaiah warned King Ahaz that he had gone out of patience with God. He showed that it was even bad enough for the king to wear out the patience of the people.

Isaiah gave King Ahaz the Lord's sign of a young pregnant woman to have a son to be named 'Immanuel' interpreted to mean "God is with us". This was a confirmation to the king that God was with him and the people of Judah.

Isaiah assured King Ahaz of future prosperity for Judah. The people would be drinking milk and eating honey by the time 'Immanuel' would be old enough to make his own decisions.

Besides, Isaiah prophesied that the lands of Syria and Israel would soon be deserted. This was a call upon king Ahaz to be firm and remain calm.

Isaiah revealed to King Ahaz that the Lord was going bring days of trouble worse than any that had come since the kingdom of Israel separated from Judah. The days would fall on the king himself, his people and on the whole royal family.

King Ahaz was told that the Lord would use the Assyrians and the Egyptians to cause troubles in the land of Judah. The emperor of Assyria would shave their beards and the hair on their heads and bodies.

Isaiah assured King Ahaz that the Lord would use the Assyrian king to carry off all the wealth of Damascus, the Syrian capital city, and all the loot of Samaria.

However, Isaiah declared that the Lord was using Assyria to punish those who had angered him. This in a way would make them to realize their mistakes and turn back him.

Isaiah assured King Ahaz that the Assyrian king would be powerless to defend himself against him for He punish would the king for being boastful and full of pride.

Isaiah advised King Ahaz to commit himself fully to the Lord. He showed that the Lord was willing to intervene on behalf of Judah.

Revision Questions

1.    Comment on Isaiah I s prophesies to king Ahaz.

2.    Discuss prophet Isaiah's revelations to King Ahaz

3.    What lessons can modern leaders draw from Isaiah's    message to king Ahaz?