He removed the covered portal for use on the Sabbath that had been built in the house of the LORD, and the outer entrance for the king from the house of the LORD, on account of the king of Assyria — Ahaz's removal of the covered portal (הַמִּסְכָּן, *ha-miskan*) and the royal entrance (מְבוֹא־הַמֶּלֶךְ, *mevo ha-melekh*) from the temple complex indicates either architectural modification for Assyrian security or symbolic devaluation of the royal/kingly prerogatives in the temple. The note "on account of the king of Assyria" suggests these changes were made to accommodate Assyrian requirements, perhaps for security or to demonstrate obeisance to the overlord. The temple's architectural modification for imperial purposes represents the ultimate subordination: the LORD's house is restructured to serve Assyrian political requirements.

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