“In the days of Ahaz” means about 735 b.c. onward. The nations, capitals, and rulers involved are as follows:
Nation (alternate name) | Capital | Ruler |
Judah | Jerusalem | Ahaz |
Israel (Ephraim) | Samaria | Pekah, son of Remaliah |
Syria (Aram) | Damascus | Rezin |
See these place-names on Maps 9 and 10 in the Latter-day Saint edition of the King James Version of the Bible.
Syria and Israel had formed a coalition to block the armies of the Assyrian Tiglath-pileser III as they advanced westward. Ahaz, king of Judah, refused to join. Syria and Israel then decided to march on Jerusalem and replace Ahaz with a man of their own persuasion. Verse 2 says King Ahaz’s “heart was moved” or shaken.