2 Kings 16:7  So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and rescue me from the hand of the king of Syria and from the hand of the king of Israel [Pekah], who are attacking me.” (ESV)  See also Isaiah 7.

Tiglath-Pileser III was a prominent Assyrian king (745–727 BC).  Austen Henry Layard discovered his palace in 1873-4.  Also discovered were multiple inscriptions that were summary statements of TPIII’s accomplishments.

Summary statement number seven dates to 729 BC and reads: “In all the countries which… [I received] the tribute of… Jehoahaz (this is Ahaz with a theophoric prefix attached) of Judah…(consisting of) gold, silver, tin, iron, antimony, linen garments with multicolored trimmings….”

Given the historical context provides in Scripture, it is likely that Ahaz paid this tribute to TPIII to secure his alliance against the kings of Israel and Syria who were fighting against him.  Once again, this confirms the Biblical record.

(more…)