Walked in the way of: For this expression meaning “imitate,” see 2 Kgs 8.18. Here it may be rendered “followed the example of” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible). Revised English Bible prefers the English idiom “followed in the footsteps of,” while New American Bible has “conducted himself like.”
Two things should be clear to the readers of this verse: (1) The expression the kings of Israel does not refer to kings of both Israel and Judah but only to the kings of the northern kingdom. For this reason Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “the kings of the kingdom of Israel.” (2) The kings of the northern kingdom are regarded as evil by the writer of this account. For this reason the first edition of Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates verses 2b-3a as “He did not follow the will of the Lord, his God, as his ancestor David did, but the evil example of the kings of Israel.”
He even burned his son as an offering is literally “and indeed his son he caused to pass through the fire.” The Hebrew adverb translated even or “indeed” indicates the addition of a very significant bit of information. The practice of child sacrifice is strictly and specifically forbidden in Deut 12.31 and 18.10. The fact that Ahaz went so far as to disobey this rule and follow the pagan custom of child sacrifice shows just how corrupt he was.
The Hebrew text does not say how or where Ahaz burned his son, but other passages in the Old Testament reveal that children were burned in the worship of the god Molech, a god of the Ammonites, in Hinnom Valley, a deep valley just south of Jerusalem (see 2 Kgs 17.17; 23.10). This practice was specifically forbidden to the people of Israel (Lev. 18.21; 20.2-5).
Abominable practices: This expression in common in the book of Deuteronomy (18.9, 12; 20.18; 32.16). In 1 Kgs 14.24 it is translated simply “abominations.” The Hebrew term here refers to something that is felt to be disgusting or unusually offensive. Behind this idea is the notion of ritual and/or ethical impurity. Anything in shameless violation of what is considered ritually pure or ethically wholesome could be labeled an abomination. Some modern translations are “detestable ways” (New International Version), “disgusting practice[s]” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible), and “hateful sins” (New Century Version).
The nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel: Compare 1 Kgs 14.24 for this expression also.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .