1. An idol worshiping king (1-4)

Ahaz did not follow in the footsteps of his fathers. During his reign he worshiped other gods, and he practiced detestable things, even offering his own son as a burnt offering. He did all the things practiced by the nations the Lord had driven out.

2. A servant of Assyria. (5-20)

When the kings of Israel and Aram threatened Judah, Ahaz paid the king of Assyria out of the temple treasury, saying, "I am your servant...come up and save me." He rejected the Lord's salvation and corrupted the temple worship. He practiced a form of worship based on his own fear and superstition. He thought he was protecting Judah, but he did not do what was right in God's eyes.