THE REIGN OF MANASSEH, KING OF JUDAH 687/6-642/1 BC. CO-REGENT FROM 696/95 BC. In this passage the prophetic author, who was as we have seen always very selective, concentrated his attention on the failures of Manasseh and the future consequences for Judah. He mentions neither his Babylonian exile,... [ Continue Reading ]
SUMMARY OF HIS EVIL LIFE (2 KINGS 21:3). The full evil of the life of Manasseh is brought out by a detailed description of all the abominations that he committed (2 Kings 21:3), followed by two summaries, one in 2 Kings 21:9 and one in 2 Kings 21:16, thereby making up a threefold indictment of the ‘... [ Continue Reading ]
YHWH PROPHESIES DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ON AN UNFAITHFUL PEOPLE (2 KINGS 21:10). These prophecies were made during the reign of Manasseh. Indeed the Chronicler made clear that many seers prophesied during his reign (2 Chronicles 33:18), seeking to turn him back to righteousness. And they are here fo... [ Continue Reading ]
CONCLUDING COMMENTS (2 KINGS 21:17). The account of Manasseh's life ends with the usual concluding comments, referring us to the annals of the kings of Judah, and describing his death and burial along with information about the succession. But there is added to it the unique phrase for an epitaph,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE REIGN OF AMON, KING OF JUDAH C. 642/1-640/39 BC (2 KINGS 21:19). Amon continued in the way in which he had been brought up and reinstituted the idolatrous practises of the reign of his father prior to his repentance. He neither worshipped YHWH truly nor continued in the ways prescribed by His La... [ Continue Reading ]