Ahaz began his reign over Judah at the age of twenty, in the seventeenth year of Pekah, king of Israel. He reigned sixteen years. Ahaz burned his son as an offering to the gods. He died and his son Hezekiah reigned over Judah. Hoshea began his reign over Israel in the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah. He reigned nine years. Israel rejected God and worshiped other gods. God allowed the king of Assyria to besiege Samaria for three years. The king exiled the Israelites from Samaria. He brought people from other nations to fill the cities of Samaria. The people did evil in the sight of God, so God sent lions which killed some of them. The king of Assyria sent priests to teach them the ways of God, but the people still chose not to be loyal to God.