Israel and Syria tried to force Judah into a military coalition with them to offer combined resistance to the powerful armies of Assyria. This brief war of Israel and Syria against Judah did not succeed in its aim. King Ahaz of Judah saw no hope in such resistance to the great forces of Assyria and paid a huge tribute to Tiglath Pileser to protect his small country. He also adopted Assyrian religious practices in Jerusalem, acknowledging the power of Assyria's gods.