Definition: And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, [even] in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 28:27. It's a really interesting and somewhat mysterious passage! Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where a king – Hezekiah – was essentially buried or hidden away, not in a tomb like the kings of Israel, but in Jerusalem itself. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And Ahaz slept with his fathers…” This refers to King Ahaz, who ruled before the time of David. He was known for being a bit distant and perhaps not very involved in the affairs of the kingdom. “…and they buried him in the city, even [even] in Jerusalem:” This is the crucial part. The kings of Israel (like Solomon) had built elaborate tombs and burial grounds throughout their territories. This verse tells us that King Ahaz was buried in Jerusalem – specifically, within the walls of the city itself. It’s a very unusual placement for a king! “But they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel:” This is where it gets really strange. The kings of Israel weren't burying him in their royal tombs. Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, was instead allowed to rule as a king himself, and he wasn’t buried within the established traditions of their kingdom. “And Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.” This means that Hezekiah took over the throne after Ahaz's reign. Hezekiah ruled Jerusalem for many years, and he was the one who continued the traditions and governance of the kingdom. What’s the Significance? This verse is a bit ambiguous, which has led to some interpretations throughout history. It suggests a few possibilities: A Symbolic Placement: Some scholars believe this wasn't about a literal burial. It might represent Hezekiah as being placed in the heart of Jerusalem, symbolizing his leadership and connection to the city’s history. A Secret Burial: There's also a theory that it was a secret burial, perhaps for a reason that we don't fully understand. In short, this verse describes a king who was placed in a unique and unusual location – within the very heart of Jerusalem – after his predecessors were buried there. --- Do you want to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this verse? For example, would you like to know: Why is it so odd that he wasn't buried in the kings’ tombs? What might this verse be hinting at about Hezekiah’s reign?