ACHAZ or Ahaz was a faint-hearted ruler who revived the barbarous custom of human sacrifice. He failed to stand up to his northern neighbours when they threatened invasion but instead threw in his lot with the king of Assyria. Isaiah the prophet warned Achaz that seeking the protection of Assyria would have heavy consequences, and so it proved, with Achaz handing over the gold and silver from the Temple and palace treasury. Bishop John Davies