20. King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria came, but he gave him more trouble than support.
21. Ahaz gathered riches from the Lord’s temple, the royal palace, and the officials and gave them to the king of Assyria, but that did not help.
22. During his time of trouble King Ahaz was even more unfaithful to the Lord.
23. He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus whom he thought had defeated him. He reasoned, “Since the gods of the kings of Damascus helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me.” But they caused him and all Israel to stumble.