2 Chronicles 28:20 – “Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him, but he gave him trouble instead of help.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse describes how King Ahaz of Judah sought help from Tiglath-Pileser, the king of Assyria, during a time of crisis. Judah was under attack from multiple enemies, and Ahaz, instead of turning to God for help, reached out to Assyria for military support. However, rather than receiving the assistance he hoped for, Ahaz found that Tiglath-Pileser only caused more trouble for Judah. This verse illustrates the failure of Ahaz’s reliance on a pagan foreign power instead of placing his trust in God.
The verse highlights the futility of trusting in worldly powers or human solutions when facing difficult circumstances. Rather than providing relief, Ahaz’s alliance with Assyria only led to more problems for Judah, compounding their suffering and instability.
Historical Context
During the reign of Ahaz, Judah was under significant pressure from neighboring enemies, particularly Israel and Syria. In response, Ahaz sought help from Assyria, a powerful empire that was expanding its influence in the region. Ahaz offered wealth from the temple and the royal treasury to Tiglath-Pileser in exchange for military assistance. However, while Tiglath-Pileser did intervene by attacking Israel and Syria, he did not bring the help or protection that Ahaz expected. Instead, Assyria imposed further burdens on Judah, likely through heavy tribute and greater political control.
This verse captures the political and spiritual failure of Ahaz’s reign. By turning to Assyria, Ahaz showed a lack of faith in God, even though he had been warned by the prophet Isaiah to trust in the Lord rather than in foreign alliances (Isaiah 7:3-12). The result of this unfaithfulness was that Judah became entangled in Assyria’s political web, suffering more than they gained from the alliance.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse speaks to the importance of trusting God over human or worldly solutions. Ahaz’s decision to rely on Assyria instead of seeking God’s help reveals a heart that did not trust in God’s sovereignty or promises. Scripture consistently teaches that when we put our trust in anything other than God—whether it be wealth, power, or human alliances—it leads to disappointment and failure.
This verse also highlights the principle that relying on human strength rather than God’s will often bring trouble rather than peace. Ahaz’s alliance with Assyria may have seemed like a smart political move at the time, but it only brought more suffering and dependence on a foreign power. This illustrates that even the most powerful worldly resources are no substitute for God’s provision and protection.
Literary Analysis
The verse is structured to emphasize the contrast between Ahaz’s expectations and the actual outcome. Ahaz sought help from Tiglath-Pileser, but instead of receiving the support he expected, he encountered more trouble. The simple phrase “he gave him trouble instead of help” underscores the futility of Ahaz’s misplaced trust. The verse conveys a sense of irony—what Ahaz thought would be a solution to his problems actually made things worse.
The language is direct and blunt, reflecting the harsh reality of Ahaz’s situation. There is no embellishment or explanation for Tiglath-Pileser’s actions, only the stark outcome: trouble, not help.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Isaiah 7:9: “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” Isaiah’s warning to Ahaz reflects the importance of trusting in God rather than foreign alliances.
- Jeremiah 17:5: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.'” This verse reflects the danger of relying on human strength instead of God.
- Psalm 146:3: “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” This psalm reminds us that only God can truly provide help and deliverance.
- 2 Kings 16:7-9: This passage provides a parallel account of Ahaz’s decision to seek help from Assyria, offering additional details about the political and military consequences.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a reminder that placing our trust in human solutions, rather than relying on God, often leads to disappointment and trouble. Just as Ahaz trusted in Assyria and found himself worse off, we can easily fall into the trap of seeking security in worldly things—whether that be finances, relationships, or power—rather than trusting in God’s care and provision.
This verse encourages believers to examine where they place their trust when facing challenges. Do we turn first to God in prayer, or do we look to the world for solutions? Ahaz’s failure teaches us that no worldly power, no matter how strong, can substitute for God’s help.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Even in this verse, where we see the failure of Ahaz’s decision, God’s love is still present. God allowed Judah to experience the consequences of their unfaithfulness, but He did not abandon them. Through the prophets, God continued to call His people back to Himself, offering them opportunities to repent and trust in Him.
God’s love is seen in His desire for His people to trust Him fully. He knows that trusting in anything other than Him leads to trouble, as this verse demonstrates. His discipline, though painful, is an expression of His love, guiding His people back to a place of faith and reliance on Him alone.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse highlights the contrast between human leaders like Ahaz and the perfect leadership of Jesus Christ. Where Ahaz failed by trusting in a foreign power, Jesus exemplified perfect trust in His Father, even in the face of immense challenges. Jesus consistently relied on God, demonstrating through His life and ministry that true help and salvation come from God alone.
Moreover, Jesus came to free us from the bondage of trusting in worldly powers. Through His death and resurrection, He secured our ultimate deliverance from sin, death, and every earthly power that seeks to enslave us. In Christ, we find the true help that Ahaz sought but never found in Assyria.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on human solutions rather than trusting in God?
- How does Ahaz’s failure to trust in God serve as a warning for us today?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of seeking God’s help first in times of crisis?
- How does God’s love and patience shine through, even when we make mistakes like Ahaz did?
- How does Jesus provide the ultimate example of trusting in God and the true help that we need in every circumstance?
This verse challenges us to examine where we place our trust and encourages us to rely fully on God in every situation. It also reminds us of the consequences of turning away from God’s guidance and highlights the perfect trust and help we have in Jesus Christ. Through Him, we find the security and peace that no earthly power can provide.