CHAPTER XXV: HEZEKIAH (B.C. 715-686) [25]287

THE APOSTASIES OF AHAZ [24]273

Moloch-worship--Sacrifice of children--Ahaz appeals to Assyria for help--Ruin of Damascus and death of Rezin--Ahaz does homage to Tiglath-Pileser at Damascus--Records of Tiglath-Pileser--The new altar--Complaisance of the priest Urijah--Unpopularity of Ahaz--Further misgivings--His death.

HEZEKIAH (B.C. 715-686) [25]287

Dates--Importance of the reign--Hezekiah's age--His character--His reformation--Partial suppression of the bamoth--Removal of the matstseboth and Asherim--Destruction of the brazen serpent--Trust in Jehovah--Psalm xlvi.--Chastisement of the Philistines--Three parties in Jerusalem--1. The Assyrian party--2. The Egyptian party--3. The national party--Its attitude to the others--Micah--Mockery of Egypt--Anger and insults of the priests against Isaiah--Confidence of Isaiah--Waverings of Hezekiah.