2 Kings – Chapter 16

Old Testament20 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 16 of 2 Kings begins: "In the seventeenth year of Phacee, the son of Romelia reigned Achaz, the son of Joatham, king of Juda." The chapter centers on Uriah, David and Hezekiah. Across its 20 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and worship and praise. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1In the seventeenth year of Phacee, the son of Romelia reigned Achaz, the son of Joatham, king of Juda.

2Achaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: he did not that which was pleasing in the sight of the Lord, his God, as David, his father.

3But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel: moreover, he consecrated also his son, making him pass through the fire, according to the idols of the nations which the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel.

4He sacrificed also, and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

5Then Rasin, king of Syria, and Phacee, son of Romelia, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to fight: and they besieged Achaz, but were not able to overcome him.

6At that time Rasin, king of Syria, restored Aila to Syria, and drove the men of Juda out of Aila: and the Edomites came into Aila, and dwelt there unto this day.

7And Achaz sent messengers to Theglathphalasar, king of the Assyrians, saying: I am thy servant, and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, who are risen up together against me.

8And when he had gathered together the silver and gold that could be found in the house of the Lord, and in the king's treasures, he sent it for a present to the king of the Assyrians.

9And he agreed to his desire: for the king of the Assyrians went up against Damascus, and laid it waste: and he carried away the inhabitants thereof to Cyrene; but Rasin he slew.

10And king Achaz went to Damascus to meet Theglathphalasar, king of the Assyrians, and when he had seen the altar of Damascus, king Achaz sent to Urias, the priest, a pattern of it, and its likeness, according to all the work thereof.

11And Urias, the priest, built an altar according to all that king Achaz had commanded from Damascus so did Urias, the priest, until king Achaz came from Damascus.

12And when the king was come from Damascus, he saw the altar and worshipped it: and went up and offered holocausts, and his own sacrifice;

13And he offered libations, and poured the blood of the peace offerings, which he had offered, upon the altar.

14But the altar of brass that was before the Lord, he removed from the face of the temple, and from the place of the altar, and from the place of the temple of the Lord: and he set it at the side of the altar towards the north.

15And king Achaz commanded Urias, the priest, saying: Upon the great altar offer the morning holocaust, and the evening sacrifice, and the king's holocaust, and his sacrifice, and the holocaust of the whole people of the land, and their sacrifices, and their libations: and all the blood of the holocaust, and all the blood of the victim, thou shalt pour out upon it: but the altar of brass shall be ready at my pleasure.

16So Urias, the priest, did according to all that king Achaz had commanded him.

17And king Achaz took away the graven bases, and the laver that was upon them: and he took down the sea from the brazen oxen that held it up, and put it upon a pavement of stone.

18The Musach also for the sabbath, which he had built in the temple, and the king's entry from without, he turned into the temple of the Lord, because of the king of the Assyrians.

19Now the rest of the acts of Achaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the words of the of the days of the kings of Juda?

20And Achaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David, and Ezechias, his son, reigned in his stead.

Important Verses in 2 Kings 16

Achaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: he did not that which was pleasing in the sight of the Lord, his God, as David, his father.

2 Kings 16:2

And when he had gathered together the silver and gold that could be found in the house of the Lord, and in the king's treasures, he sent it for a present to the king of the Assyrians.

2 Kings 16:8

And he offered libations, and poured the blood of the peace offerings, which he had offered, upon the altar.

2 Kings 16:13

The Musach also for the sabbath, which he had built in the temple, and the king's entry from without, he turned into the temple of the Lord, because of the king of the Assyrians.

2 Kings 16:18

Historical Context

2 Kings belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the exiles in Babylon, called to repentance and hope. Chapter 16 of 25 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 20 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Uriah, David and Hezekiah, the principal figures named in this chapter. The chapter begins: "In the seventeenth year of Phacee, the son of Romelia reigned Achaz, the son of Joatham, king of Juda." The chapter ends with: "And Achaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David, and Ezechias, his son, reigned in his…" In terms of historical background, Second Kings continues from Elijah's fiery departure and Elisha's ministry to the destruction of both kingdoms: Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BC and Judah to Babylon in 587 BC, when the Temple was burned. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Events from about 850 to 560 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile.

Who Wrote It

Unknown; compiled by prophetic circles, traditionally linked to Jeremiah

When It Was Written

Events from about 850 to 560 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within prophets, kings, and exile. A pivotal line is verse 2: "Achaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: he did not that which was pleasing in the sight of the Lord, his…" The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 113). Here, the prophets prepared for Christ and called Israel to repentance (CIC 64, 522). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize God's kingdom and kingship as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

Uriah5 mentionsDavid2 mentionsHezekiah1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents 2 Kings Chapter 16 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. John Damascene and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. the prophets prepared for Christ and called Israel to repentance (CIC 64, 522). The passage calls believers to grasp that God sends prophets to call His people back.

Let 2 Kings Chapter 16 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Kings Chapter 16 about?

2 Kings 16 contains 20 verses. It opens with "In the seventeenth year of Phacee, the son of Romelia reigned Achaz, the son of Joatham, king of Juda." and closes with "And Achaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David, and Ezechias, his son, reigned in his…". The book as a whole is historical narrative with prophetic accounts.

What is a key verse in 2 Kings 16?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "Achaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: he did not that which was pleasing in the sight of the Lord, his God, as David, his…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 2 Kings Chapter 16?

This chapter mentions Uriah, David, Hezekiah.

Who wrote 2 Kings and when?

Unknown; compiled by prophetic circles, traditionally linked to Jeremiah. Events from about 850 to 560 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile.

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