2 Chronicles 33:17

_NEVERTHELESS THE PEOPLE DID SACRIFICE STILL IN THE HIGH PLACES, YET UNTO THE LORD THEIR GOD ONLY._ The people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the Lord their God only. Here it appears that the worship upon high places, though it originated in a great measure from the practice of paganism, and too often led to it, did not necessarily imply idolatry, but was meant to celebrate the local adoration of the true God-a violation of God's will, after a central sanctuary had been established....

1-20 We have seen Manasseh's wickedness; here we have his repentance, and a memorable instance it is of the riches of God's pardoning mercy, and the power of his renewing grace. Deprived of his liberty, separated from his evil counsellors and companions, without any prospect but of ending his days in a wretched prison, Manasseh thought upon what had passed; he began to cry for mercy and deliverance. He confessed his sins, condemned himself, was humbled before God, loathing himself as a monster of impiety and wickedness. Yet he hoped to be pardoned through the abundant mercy of the Lord. Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah was God, able to deliver. He knew him as a God of salvation; he learned to fear, trust in, love, and obey him. From this time he bore a new character, and walked in newness of life. Who can tell what tortures of conscience, what pangs of grief, what fears of wrath, what ag...

Verse 2 Chronicles 33:17. _THE PEOPLE DID SACRIFICE_] "Nevertheless the people did sacrifice on the high places, but only to the name of the WORD of the Lord their God." - _Targum_....

Compare 2 Kings 21:2, note; 2 Kings 18:4, note....

EXPOSITION The first twenty verses of this chapter are taken up with the account of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah and Hephzibah, who, beginning to reign at the early age of twelve years, reigned in all fifty-five years; the remaining five verses with the account of the reign of his son Amon. The parallel to this chapter is 2 Kings 21:1. The repeated references in this chapter to Manasseh's neglect, and to his people's neglect, after his example, of injunction, promise, and threat of the Word of the Lord and of the Law, make it a prominent instance of the spirit of the compiler, and an indication of one of the main objects he had in view, and kept in view in writing these chronicles. 2 CHRONICLES 33:1 The parallel adds the name of Manasseh's mother, the

NEVERTHELESS, THE PEOPLE DID SACRIFICE STILL IN THE HIGH PLACES,.... Not in those that were built for idols, at least did not sacrifice to them; for it follows: YET UNTO THE LORD THEIR GOD ONLY; the Targum is, "to the name of the Word of the Lord their God.''...

2 Chronicles 33:1. _Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: but did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord,_ Yet who could have had a better father than Manasseh had? He was given to Hezekiah during those fifteen years which God graciously added to that good king's life. Manasseh was, therefore, doubtless carefully trained, and looked upon as being one who would maintain God's worship, and the honour of his father's name. But grace does not run in the blood; and the best of parents may have the worst of children. Thus Manasseh, though he was the son of Hezekiah, «did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord,» 2 Chronicles 33:2. Like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had

7. DECLINE AND APOSTASY UNDER MANASSEH AND AMON CHAPTER 33 _ 1. Manasseh's wicked reign (2 Chronicles 33:1)_ 2. Manasseh's imprisonment and restoration (2 Chronicles 33:11) 3. His reign after restoration and his death (2 Chronicles 33:14) 4. The reign of Amon (2 Chronicles 33:21) Manasseh, the twelve year old son of Hezekiah, did not follow the ways of his father, but did evil in the sight of the LORD. He had no godly Jehoiada, like Joash, to stand by him and guide him. He was surrounded, no doubt, by counsellors, but they were evil counse

2 Chronicles 33:1. THE REIGN OF MANASSEH (see notes on 2 Kings 21:1). 2 Chronicles 33:1 is based upon 2 Kings 21:1, which is fairly accurately followed; but 2 Chronicles 33:11 is almost wholly from the hand of the Chronicler; it deals with Manasseh's captivity and consequent repentance; in answer to his prayer, Manasseh is restored and devotes the rest of his life to the loyal service of Yahweh. As far as Manasseh's repentance and subsequent good works are concerned, it is difficult to believe that

yet … _only_ R.V. BUT ONLY.… Cp. 2 Chronicles 32:12, note....