Ahaz and the Road Not Taken

Ahaz has three choices before him, but he only recognizes two. Will he surrender to Rezin and Pekah at the risk of his life, or will he call for salvation from the King of Assyria and potentially lose his freedom?

The pressure of this choice drives him to all sorts of idolatry and wickedness and in the end he chooses poorly. But this is primarily because the third choice, the one offered by Isaiah the prophet, is rejected out of hand. Ahaz will not trust God.