Charles Spurgeon Commentary 2 Chronicles 28:16

"At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him." — 2 Chronicles 28:16 (ASV)

At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him.

The king of Assyria was the greatest potentate in that region, and all the little kings were afraid of him, and therefore sent to him for help when they were in trouble. Ahaz made no appeal to God for the assistance he required, but he turned to the arm of flesh.

At that time did king Ahaz send to the kings of Assyria to help him.

When men are determined to be unbelievers and disobedient, they will send anywhere for help but to the Lord. Israel and Syria were very little kingdoms; but Assyria was a great empire, the mighty nation of the period. Yet no help came to Ahaz from that quarter, for we read in the twentieth verse (2 Chronicles 28:20), And Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came to him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not. The twenty-first verse tells us that Ahaz bribed the king of Assyria; but he helped him not (2 Chronicles 28:21). That is always the dirge at the end of all efforts to secure human instead of divine aid.