2 Kings 21:1-26
Q.1. Why is it surprising that Manasseh turned to other gods? How did his religiosity lead him to offend God, more than the heathen nations did? – (2 Kgs.21:1-9)
We would not expect the son of Hezekiah to backslide so far from God. His mother’s name, Hephzibah, was used later by God, when He promised that ‘His delight is in her,’ whom He had ‘forsaken’ (c.f. Isa.62:4). Manasseh reversed all the decisions of his father, so thus led the nation astray – … he seduced them to do evil more than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the sons of Israel (2 Kgs.21:2 & 9). Manasseh built idols and altars to the hosts of Heaven – He made his sons pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft, used divination, and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord provoking Him to anger (2 Kgs.21:6). God had promised to place His name forever in Jerusalem – if only they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them … (2 Kgs21:7 & 4).
Q.2. In what ways did God try to turn Manasseh from his backsliding? What warning did God give to Manasseh and the people? – (2 Kgs.21:10-18)
God sent Manasseh prophets to warn him – 10 Now the Lord spoke through His servants the prophets, saying, 11 “Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, having done wickedly more than all the Amorites did who were before him, and has also made Judah sin with his idols; 12 therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, `Behold, I am bringing such calamity on Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle (2 Kgs.21:10-12). It appears that anyone who warned him became a target for his bloodshed – Moreover, Manasseh shed very much innocent blood until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another (2 Kgs.21:16). Chronicles does record the repentance and partial restoration of Manasseh (2 Kgs.21:17 c.f. 2 Chron.33:12-13).
Q.3. Does it surprise you that Judah experienced instability after Manasseh and under Amon? – (2 Kgs.21:19-26)
Manasseh’s son, Amon was a wicked king who forsook the Lord. He lasted only two years before he was assassinated (2 Kgs.21:19-23). In turn his murderers were also put to death (2 Kgs.21:24). The price of evil brought terrible instability to the families of Judah. Sin never pays and is always a disgrace to a nation (Prov. 14:34). Surprisingly, Amon’s son Josiah would prove to be a godly king.