In this verse, King Ahaz of Judah visited the king of Assyria in Damascus. While there, he saw an altar and sent a design of it to the priest Uriah, instructing him to build a similar altar in Jerusalem. This act of religious syncretism, combining elements of Assyrian and Israelite worship, was a clear violation of God's commandments and led to further idolatry in Judah. It reflects Ahaz's disregard for the exclusive worship of Yahweh and his willingness to adopt pagan practices, ultimately contributing to the spiritual decline of the nation.