Ahaz’ real failure, however, was to seek human rather than divine help. One of the Chronicler’s principles is that “God has the power to help or to overthrow”, and that he helps those who put their trust in him. Ahaz’ turning to Assyria was therefore a sign of his unbelief. Ahaz also “behaved without restraint ” and was most unfaithful. The former expression really means to favour licence rather than true liberty, while the latter is a typical term in Chronicles for failing to give God his due. Therefore God humbled Judah as he had Israel under Jeroboam, but with even more disastrous results.