Achaz = Ahaz
king of Judah, ( Matthew 1:9 )
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William Smith
Smith’s Bible Dictionary
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Ahaz
(possessor), eleventh king of Judah, son of Jotham, reigned 741-726, about sixteen years. At the time of his accession, Rezin king of Damascus and Pekah king of Israel had recently formed a league against Judah, and they proceeded to lay siege to Jerusalem. Upon this Isaiah hastened to give advice and encouragement to Ahaz, and the allies failed in their attack on Jerusalem. Isai 7,8,9 . But, the allies inflicted a most severe injury on Judah by the capture of Elath, a flourishing port on the Red Sea, while the Philistines invaded the west and south. 2Kin 16 ; 2Chr 28 . Ahaz, having forfeited God’s favor by his wickedness, sought deliverance from these numerous troubles by appealing to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, who forced him from his most formidable enemies. But Ahaz had to purchase this help at a costly price; he became tributary to Tiglath-pileser. He was weak, a gross idolater, and sought safety in heathen ceremonies, making his son pass through the fire to Molech, consulting wizards and necromancers. ( Isaiah 8:19 ) and other idolatrous practices. ( 2 Kings 23:12 ) His only service of permanent value was the introduction of the sun-dial. He died at the age of 36, but was refused a burial with the kings his ancestors. ( 2 Chronicles 28:27 ) Son of Micah. ( 1 Chronicles 8:35 , 36 ; 9:42 )
Ahaziah
(sustained by the Lord). Son of Ahab and Jezebel eighth king of Israel, reigned B.C. 896-895. After the battle of Ramoth in Gilead, in which Ahab perished [ Ahab ], the vassal king of Moab refused his yearly tribute; comp. ( Isaiah 16:1 ) Before Ahaziah could take measures for enforcing his claim, he was seriously injured by a fall through a lattice in his palace at Samaria. Being an idolater, he sent to inquire of the oracle of Baalzebub in the Philistine city of Ekron whether he should recover his health. But Elijah, who now for the last time exercised the prophetic office, rebuked him for this impiety, and announced to him his approaching death. The only other recorded transaction of his reign, his endeavor to join the king of Judah in trading to Ophir, is related under Jehoshaphat . ( 1 Kings 22:49-53 ; 2 Kings 1:1 ; 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 ) Fifth king of Judah, son of Jehoram and Athaliah (daughter of Ahab), and therefore nephew of the preceding Ahaziah, reigned one year, B.C. 884. He is Galled Azariah , ( 2 Chronicles 22:2 ) probably by a copyist’s error, and Jehoahaz . ( 2 Chronicles 21:17 ) He was 22 years old at his accession. ( 2 Kings 8:26 ) (his age 42, in ( 2 Chronicles 22:2 ) Isa a copyist’s error). Ahaziah was an idolater, and he allied himself with his uncle Jehoram king of Israel against Hazael, the new king of Syria. the two kings were, however defeated at Ramoth, where Jehoram was severely wounded. The revolution carried out in Israel by Jehu under the guidance of Elisha broke out while Ahaziah was visiting his uncle at Jezreel. As Jehu approached the town, Jehoram and Ahaziah went out to meet him; the former was shot through the heart by Jehu, and Ahaziah was pursued and mortally wounded. He died when he reached Megiddo.
Alliances
On the first establishment of the Hebrews in Palestine no connections were formed between them and the surrounding nations. But with the extension of their power under the kings alliances became essential to the security of their commerce. Solomon concluded two important treaties exclusively for commercial purposes the first with Hiram king of Tyre ( 1 Kings 5:2-12 ; 9:27 ) the second with a Pharaoh, king of Egypt. ( 1 Kings 10:28 , 29 ) When war broke out between Amaziah I and Jeroboam II, a coalition was formed between Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah on the one side, and Ahaz and Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, on the other. ( 2 Kings 16:5-9 ) The formation of an alliance was attended with various religious rites. A victim was slain and divided into two parts, between which the contracting parties passed. ( Genesis 15:10 ) Generally speaking the oath alone is mentioned in the contracting of alliances, either between nations, ( Joshua 9:15 ) or individuals. ( Genesis 25:28 ; 31:53 ; 1 Samuel 20:17 ; 2 Kings 11:4 ) The event was celebrated by a feast. Genesis l. c.; ( Exodus 24:11 ; 2 Samuel 3:12 , 20 ) Salt, as symbolical of fidelity, was used on these occasions. Occasionally a pillar or a heap of stones was set up as a memorial of the alliance. ( Genesis 31:52 ) Presents were also sent by the parties soliciting the alliance. ( 1 Kings 15:18 ; Isaiah 30:6 ); 1 Macc 16:18 . The fidelity of the Jews to their engagements was conspicuous at all periods of their history, ( Joshua 9:18 ) and any breach of covenant was visited with very severe punishment. ( 2 Samuel 21:1 ; Ezekiel 17:16 )
Amasa
(a burden). Son of Ithra, or Jether, by Abigail, David’s sister. ( 2 Samuel 17:25 ) He joined in Absalom’s rebellion, B.C. 1023, was appointed commander-in-chief and suffered defeat by Joab. ( 2 Samuel 18:6 ) David, incensed against Joab for killing Absalom, forgave Amasa and appointed him Joab’s successor. ( 2 Samuel 19:13 ) Joab afterwards, when they were both in pursuit of the rebel Sheba, pretending to salute Amasa stabbed him with his sword. ( 2 Samuel 20:10 ) A prince of Ephraim, son of Hadlai, in the reign of Ahaz. ( 2 Chronicles 28:12 )
Athaliah
(afflicted of the Lord) daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, married Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah and introduced into that kingdom the worship of Baal. (B.C. 891.) After the great revolution by which Jehu seated himself on the throne of Samaria she killed all the members of the royal family of Judah who had escaped his sword. ( 2 Kings 11:1 ) From the slaughter one infant, named Joash, the youngest son of Ahaziah, was rescued by his aunt Jehosheba wife of Jehoiada, ( 2 Chronicles 23:11 ) the high priest. ( 2 Chronicles 24:6 ) The child was brought up under Jehoiada’s care, and concealed in the temple for six years, during which period Athaliah reigned over Judah. At length Jehoiada thought it time to produce the lawful king to the people, trusting to their zeal for the worship of God and their loyalty to the house of David. His plan was successful, and Athaliah was put to death.
Azariah
(whom the Lord helps) a common name in Hebrew, and especially in the families of the priests of the line of Eleazar, whose name has precisely the same meaning as Azariah. It is nearly identical, and is often confounded, with Ezra as well as with Zerahiah and Seraiah. The principal persons who bore this name were— Son of Ahimaaz. ( 1 Chronicles 6:9 ) He appears from ( 1 Kings 4:2 ) to have succeeded Zadok, his grandfather, in the high priesthood, in the reign of Solomon, Ahimaaz having died before Zadok. (B.C. About 1000.) [ Ahimaaz ] A chief officer of Solomon’s, the son of Nathan, perhaps David’s grandson. ( 1 Kings 4:5 ) Tenth king of Judah, more frequently called Uzziah. ( 2 Kings 14:21 ; 15:1 , 6 , 8 , 17 , 23 , 27 ; 1 Chronicles 8:12 ) Son of Ethan, of the sons of Zerah, where, perhaps, Zerahiah is the more probable reading. ( 1 Chronicles 2:8 ) Son of Jehu of the family of the Jerahmeelites, and descended from Jarha the Egyptian slave of Sheshan. ( 1 Chronicles 2:38 , 39 ) He was probably one of the captains of hundreds in the time of Athaliah mentioned in ( 2 Chronicles 23:1 ) (B.C. 886.) The son of Johanan. ( 1 Chronicles 6:10 ) He must have been high priest in the reign of Abijah and Asa. (B.C. 939.) Another Azariah is inserted between Hilkiah, in Josiah’s reign, and Seraiah who was put to death by Nebuchadnezzar, in ( 1 Chronicles 6:13 , 14 ) Son of Zephaniah, a Kohathite, and ancestor of Samuel the prophet. ( 1 Chronicles 6:36 ) Apparently the same as Uzziah in ver. 24. Azariah; the son of Oded, ( 2 Chronicles 15:1 ) called simply Oded in ver. 8, was a remarkable prophet in the days of King Asa, and a contemporary of Azariah the son of Johanan the high priest, and of Hanani the seer. (B.C. 939.) Son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. ( 2 Chronicles 21:2 ) (B.C.910.) Another son of Jehoshaphat, and brother of the preceding. ( 2 Chronicles 21:2 ) In ( 2 Chronicles 22:6 ) Azariah is a clerical error for Ahaziah. Son of Jeroham, one of the captains of Judah in the time of Athaliah. ( 2 Chronicles 23:1 ) The high priest in the reign of Uzziah king of Judah. The most memorable event of his life is that which is recorded in ( 2 Chronicles 26:17-20 ) (B.C. 810.) Azariah was contemporary with Isaiah the prophet and with Amos and Joel. Son of Johanan, one of the captains of Ephraim in the reign of Ahaz. ( 2 Chronicles 28:12 ) A Kohathite, father of Joel, in the reign of Hezekiah. ( 2 Chronicles 29:12 ) (B.C. 726.) A Merarite, son of Jehalelel, in the time of Hezekiah. ( 2 Chronicles 29:12 ) The high priest in the days of Hezekiah. ( 2 Chronicles 31:10 , 13 ) He appears to have co operated zealously with the king in that thorough purification of the temple and restoration of the temple service, which was so conspicuous a feature in his reign. He succeeded Urijah, who was high priest in the reign of Ahaz. Son of Maaseiah who repaired part of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah. ( Nehemiah 3:23 , 24 ) (B.C. 446-410.) One of the leaders of the children of the province who went up from Babylon with Zerubbabel. ( Nehemiah 7:7 ) One of the Levites who assisted Ezra in instructing the people in the knowledge of the law. ( Nehemiah 8:7 ) One of the priests who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah ( Nehemiah 10:2 ) and probably the same with the Azariah who assisted in the dedication of the city wall. ( Nehemiah 12:33 ) ( Jeremiah 13:2 ) (Jezaniah). The original name of Abednego. ( Daniel 1:6 , 7 , 11 , 19 ) He appears to have been of the seed-royal of Judah. (B.C. 603.)
Azrikam
(help against the enemy). A descendant of Zerubbabel, and son of Neariah of the royal line of Judah. ( 1 Chronicles 3:23 ) Eldest son of Azel, and descendant of Saul. ( 1 Chronicles 8:38 ; 9:44 ) (B.C after 1037.) A Levite, ancestor of Shemaiah, who lived in the time of Nehemiah. ( 1 Chronicles 9:14 ; Nehemiah 11:15 ) (B.C. before 536.) Governor of the house, or prefect of the palace, to King Ahaz, who was slain by Zichri, an Ephraimite hero, in the successful invasion of the southern kingdom by Pekah king of Israel. ( 2 Chronicles 28:7 ) (B.C. 738.)