Midrash sobre II Crónicas 28:23

R. Jochanan said again in the name of R. Simon b. Jochai: "What is the meaning of the passage (Prov. 29, 9) If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest? This means that the Holy One, praised be He! said: "I became angry with Achaz and delivered him to the king of Damascus. What had he done? He sacrificed and smoked incense to their gods, as it is said (II Chron. 28, 23) For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him; and he said, 'Because the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, therefore will I sacrifice unto them, that they may help me. Thus it proved merely a stumbling-block for him and for all Israel. I smiled on Amazia and delivered the kings of Edom into his hand. And what had he done? He brought their gods and bowed himself to them, as it is said (II Chron. 25, 14) Now it came to pass after that Amazia was come from the slaughtering of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and prostrated himself before them, and offered unto them'." R. Papa said: "This is why people say: 'You can do nothing with an ignoramus; weep before him or laugh with him, he does not care." Woe is to him who does not understand the difference between good and evil." (Jer. 39, 3) In the middle gate. R. Jochannon said in the name of R. Simon b. Jochai: "This was the place where the Sanhedrin decided upon Halachas." R. Papa said: "This is why people say: 'Where the master of the house hangs up his armor, the shepherd hangs up his pitcher (an unworthy successor)'."