These kings’ names are confusing to us, for they have several names. Ahaz is the king’s name (in Hebrew), but in Greek it is Achaz as in Matthew 1:99And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; (Matthew 1:9). In verse 1 we read what he did not do, but then to verse 4, we read six things he did do. He was an idolater and a murderer!
V.5 Notice the first word. He acts first, then God does although this was about 150 years later, it sounds a bit like the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. Count the number of enemies who rise up against king Ahaz for his wickedness (2 here).
V.6-8 This is the king of Israel. Look what he did to 120,000 of his nationality. Remember Judah and Benjamin were now known as the kingdom of Judah. The last sentence of verse 6 is what God is saying, not Pekah. He didn’t know that the Lord was allowing him to do this because of what Judah was doing. Now look at the number of men he captured! Almost ⅓ of a million men were lost by Judah.
V.9-15 You will need to read this slowly to see that God was controlling everything. Although the Lord was punishing Judah by using Israel, yet He did not like to see Israel thinking that they were without sin themselves. So all the prisoners are sent back.
V.10 There was sin also in Israel which Israel was forgetting in their delight in punishing Judah. Aren’t we quick to judge others and forget our own sins?