1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.

For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.

And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the Lord said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.

But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel.

10 And the Lord spake by his servants the prophets, saying,

11 Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:

12 Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.

13 And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.

14 And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;

15 Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day.

16 Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.

17 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

18 And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

19 Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.

20 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh did.

21 And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:

22 And he forsook the Lord God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the Lord.

23 And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.

24 And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

25 Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

26 And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead.

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign of Manasseh.
Young persons generally desire to become their own masters, and to have early possession of riches and power. But this, for the most part, ruins their future comfort, and causes mischief to others. It is much happier when young persons are sheltered under the care of parents or guardians, till age gives experience and discretion. Though such young persons are less indulged, they will afterwards be thankful. Manasseh wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, as if on purpose to provoke him to anger; he did more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed. Manasseh went on from bad to worse, till carried captive to Babylon. The people were ready to comply with his wishes, to obtain his favour and because it suited their depraved inclinations. In the reformation of large bodies, numbers are mere time-servers, and in temptation fall away.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Reigned - In which time the years of his imprisonment are comprehended.
McArther Bible Commentary
twelve years old. Manasseh began to reign as co-regent alongside his father, Hezekiah, in 695 B.C. Since the years of the subsequent royal reigns in Judah total ten years longer than the actual historical period and the dates of the later kings synchronize well with history, it is best to assume a ten year co-regency in Manasseh's long reign. Hezekiah groomed his son as a youth to succeed him as king; however, Manasseh turned out to be the worst king in Judah's history. fifty-five years. 695-642 B.C. See notes on 2Ch 33:1-20.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 33:1 Isaiah 62:4 Jeremiah 15:4 Jeremiah 32:34

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign of Manasseh.
Young persons generally desire to become their own masters, and to have early possession of riches and power. But this, for the most part, ruins their future comfort, and causes mischief to others. It is much happier when young persons are sheltered under the care of parents or guardians, till age gives experience and discretion. Though such young persons are less indulged, they will afterwards be thankful. Manasseh wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, as if on purpose to provoke him to anger; he did more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed. Manasseh went on from bad to worse, till carried captive to Babylon. The people were ready to comply with his wishes, to obtain his favour and because it suited their depraved inclinations. In the reformation of large bodies, numbers are mere time-servers, and in temptation fall away.
McArther Bible Commentary
the abominations of the nations. Cf. 2Ki 16:3. The detestable practices of the Canaanites were enumerated in Deu 18:9-12. Israel's reproduction of these abominable practices of the nations that preceded her in the land was forbidden in Deu 12:29-31. The idolatry of Manasseh is detailed in verses 2Ki 21:3-9 (cf. 2Ki 17:7-12, 2Ki 17:15-17).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 16:3 2 Kings 21:11 2 Kings 21:20 2 Kings 23:32 2 Kings 24:9 Ecclesiastes 9:18 Isaiah 66:4 Jeremiah 15:4

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign of Manasseh.
Young persons generally desire to become their own masters, and to have early possession of riches and power. But this, for the most part, ruins their future comfort, and causes mischief to others. It is much happier when young persons are sheltered under the care of parents or guardians, till age gives experience and discretion. Though such young persons are less indulged, they will afterwards be thankful. Manasseh wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, as if on purpose to provoke him to anger; he did more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed. Manasseh went on from bad to worse, till carried captive to Babylon. The people were ready to comply with his wishes, to obtain his favour and because it suited their depraved inclinations. In the reformation of large bodies, numbers are mere time-servers, and in temptation fall away.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
He built, &c. - Trampling on the dust and affronting the memory of his worthy father. All the host of heaven - The sun, moon and stars.
McArther Bible Commentary
high places … altars … wooden image. Manasseh reversed the reforms of Hezekiah (cf. 2Ki 18:4), reestablishing the worship of Baal as an official state-sanctioned religion in Judah, just as Ahab had done in Israel (cf. 1Ki 16:30-33). host of heaven. See note on 2Ki 17:16. The worship of the sun, moon, and stars was prohibited in Deu 4:19; Deu 17:2-5.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:19 Deuteronomy 16:21 Deuteronomy 17:2 Deuteronomy 20:18 1 Kings 16:31 2 Kings 17:16 2 Kings 18:4 2 Kings 23:4 2 Kings 23:5 Jeremiah 7:30

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign of Manasseh.
Young persons generally desire to become their own masters, and to have early possession of riches and power. But this, for the most part, ruins their future comfort, and causes mischief to others. It is much happier when young persons are sheltered under the care of parents or guardians, till age gives experience and discretion. Though such young persons are less indulged, they will afterwards be thankful. Manasseh wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, as if on purpose to provoke him to anger; he did more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed. Manasseh went on from bad to worse, till carried captive to Babylon. The people were ready to comply with his wishes, to obtain his favour and because it suited their depraved inclinations. In the reformation of large bodies, numbers are mere time-servers, and in temptation fall away.
McArther Bible Commentary
altars in the house of the Lord. These altars were dedicated to "the host of heaven" (2Ki 21:5).
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 7:13 1 Kings 8:29 2 Kings 16:10 Jeremiah 32:31 Ezekiel 23:38

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign of Manasseh.
Young persons generally desire to become their own masters, and to have early possession of riches and power. But this, for the most part, ruins their future comfort, and causes mischief to others. It is much happier when young persons are sheltered under the care of parents or guardians, till age gives experience and discretion. Though such young persons are less indulged, they will afterwards be thankful. Manasseh wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, as if on purpose to provoke him to anger; he did more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed. Manasseh went on from bad to worse, till carried captive to Babylon. The people were ready to comply with his wishes, to obtain his favour and because it suited their depraved inclinations. In the reformation of large bodies, numbers are mere time-servers, and in temptation fall away.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 7:12 2 Kings 23:4 2 Kings 23:5 2 Kings 23:12 2 Chronicles 4:9

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign of Manasseh.
Young persons generally desire to become their own masters, and to have early possession of riches and power. But this, for the most part, ruins their future comfort, and causes mischief to others. It is much happier when young persons are sheltered under the care of parents or guardians, till age gives experience and discretion. Though such young persons are less indulged, they will afterwards be thankful. Manasseh wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, as if on purpose to provoke him to anger; he did more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed. Manasseh went on from bad to worse, till carried captive to Babylon. The people were ready to comply with his wishes, to obtain his favour and because it suited their depraved inclinations. In the reformation of large bodies, numbers are mere time-servers, and in temptation fall away.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Through the fire - Between two fires, by which he dedicated him to Molock, in contempt of the seal of circumcision by which he had been dedicated to God. Times - Lucky, or unlucky days according to the superstitious practice of the heathens.
McArther Bible Commentary
made his son pass through the fire. See note on 2Ki 16:3. soothsaying … witchcraft … spiritists and mediums. The king was engaged in every form of occultism, including black magic, fortune-telling, demon contacts, and wizards. All this was in direct violation of God's law (Lev 19:31; Deu 18:9-12).
Bible Cross References
Acts 16:16 Leviticus 18:21 Leviticus 19:26 Leviticus 19:31 Deuteronomy 18:10 Deuteronomy 18:14 2 Kings 16:3 2 Kings 17:17 2 Kings 23:24 Isaiah 8:19 Isaiah 66:4 Jeremiah 19:4

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign of Manasseh.
Young persons generally desire to become their own masters, and to have early possession of riches and power. But this, for the most part, ruins their future comfort, and causes mischief to others. It is much happier when young persons are sheltered under the care of parents or guardians, till age gives experience and discretion. Though such young persons are less indulged, they will afterwards be thankful. Manasseh wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, as if on purpose to provoke him to anger; he did more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed. Manasseh went on from bad to worse, till carried captive to Babylon. The people were ready to comply with his wishes, to obtain his favour and because it suited their depraved inclinations. In the reformation of large bodies, numbers are mere time-servers, and in temptation fall away.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
An image - The image of that Baal which was worshipped in the grove.
McArther Bible Commentary
set … put. Manasseh provoked the Lord by "setting" an idol of a Canaanite goddess in the temple where the Lord had "set" His name (see 1Ki 8:29; 1Ki 9:3; 2Ch 7:12, 2Ch 7:16). Asherah (cf. 2Ki 23:4; 2Ch 15:16) was believed to be the mother of seventy deities, including Baal.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 16:21 1 Kings 8:29 1 Kings 9:3 2 Kings 23:4 2 Kings 23:6 2 Chronicles 7:12 2 Chronicles 7:16 Ezekiel 23:38

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign of Manasseh.
Young persons generally desire to become their own masters, and to have early possession of riches and power. But this, for the most part, ruins their future comfort, and causes mischief to others. It is much happier when young persons are sheltered under the care of parents or guardians, till age gives experience and discretion. Though such young persons are less indulged, they will afterwards be thankful. Manasseh wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, as if on purpose to provoke him to anger; he did more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed. Manasseh went on from bad to worse, till carried captive to Babylon. The people were ready to comply with his wishes, to obtain his favour and because it suited their depraved inclinations. In the reformation of large bodies, numbers are mere time-servers, and in temptation fall away.
McArther Bible Commentary
This alludes to the promise of 2Sa 7:10. From the very start of their time in Canaan, the people were called to this obedience, but because the people of Judah did not carefully follow the stipulations of the Mosaic Law, they were again led into idolatry by Manasseh. Their idolatry even exceeded the idolatry of the Canaanites from whom they took the land.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 7:10 2 Kings 18:11 2 Kings 18:12

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign of Manasseh.
Young persons generally desire to become their own masters, and to have early possession of riches and power. But this, for the most part, ruins their future comfort, and causes mischief to others. It is much happier when young persons are sheltered under the care of parents or guardians, till age gives experience and discretion. Though such young persons are less indulged, they will afterwards be thankful. Manasseh wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, as if on purpose to provoke him to anger; he did more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed. Manasseh went on from bad to worse, till carried captive to Babylon. The people were ready to comply with his wishes, to obtain his favour and because it suited their depraved inclinations. In the reformation of large bodies, numbers are mere time-servers, and in temptation fall away.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
More evil - Partly, because they were not contented with those idols which the Canaanites worshipped, but either invented, or borrowed from other nations many new idols, and partly, because as their light was far more clear, their obligations to God infinitely higher, and their helps against idolatry much stronger than the Canaanites had; so their sins, though the same in kind, were unspeakably worse in respect of these dreadful aggravations.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:10 Proverbs 29:12 Ezekiel 5:7 Ezekiel 16:47

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The prophetic denunciations against Judah.
Here is the doom of Judah and Jerusalem. The words used represent the city emptied and utterly desolate, yet not destroyed thereby, but cleansed, and to be kept for the future dwelling of the Jews: forsaken, yet not finally, and only as to outward privileges, for individual believers were preserved in that visitation. The Lord will cast off any professing people who dishonour him by their crimes, but never will desert his cause on earth. In the book of Chronicles we read of Manasseh's repentance, and acceptance with God; thus we may learn not to despair of the recovery of the greatest sinners. But let none dare to persist in sin, presuming that they may repent and reform when they please. There are a few instances of the conversion of notorious sinners, that none may despair; and but few, that none may presume.
McArther Bible Commentary
the prophets. Through his spokesman, the Lord announced Judah's judgment. In verses 2Ki 21:11-15, the prophetic message to Judah is summarized.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:9 2 Kings 21:11

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The prophetic denunciations against Judah.
Here is the doom of Judah and Jerusalem. The words used represent the city emptied and utterly desolate, yet not destroyed thereby, but cleansed, and to be kept for the future dwelling of the Jews: forsaken, yet not finally, and only as to outward privileges, for individual believers were preserved in that visitation. The Lord will cast off any professing people who dishonour him by their crimes, but never will desert his cause on earth. In the book of Chronicles we read of Manasseh's repentance, and acceptance with God; thus we may learn not to despair of the recovery of the greatest sinners. But let none dare to persist in sin, presuming that they may repent and reform when they please. There are a few instances of the conversion of notorious sinners, that none may despair; and but few, that none may presume.
McArther Bible Commentary
Amorites. A general designation of the original inhabitants of Canaan (cf. Gen 15:16; Jos 24:8).
Bible Cross References
Genesis 15:16 1 Kings 21:26 2 Kings 16:3 2 Kings 21:2 2 Kings 21:10 2 Kings 21:16 2 Kings 21:20 2 Kings 21:21 2 Kings 23:24 2 Kings 23:26 2 Kings 24:3 2 Kings 24:4 Ezekiel 18:12

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The prophetic denunciations against Judah.
Here is the doom of Judah and Jerusalem. The words used represent the city emptied and utterly desolate, yet not destroyed thereby, but cleansed, and to be kept for the future dwelling of the Jews: forsaken, yet not finally, and only as to outward privileges, for individual believers were preserved in that visitation. The Lord will cast off any professing people who dishonour him by their crimes, but never will desert his cause on earth. In the book of Chronicles we read of Manasseh's repentance, and acceptance with God; thus we may learn not to despair of the recovery of the greatest sinners. But let none dare to persist in sin, presuming that they may repent and reform when they please. There are a few instances of the conversion of notorious sinners, that none may despair; and but few, that none may presume.
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 3:11 Jeremiah 19:3 Ezekiel 7:5

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The prophetic denunciations against Judah.
Here is the doom of Judah and Jerusalem. The words used represent the city emptied and utterly desolate, yet not destroyed thereby, but cleansed, and to be kept for the future dwelling of the Jews: forsaken, yet not finally, and only as to outward privileges, for individual believers were preserved in that visitation. The Lord will cast off any professing people who dishonour him by their crimes, but never will desert his cause on earth. In the book of Chronicles we read of Manasseh's repentance, and acceptance with God; thus we may learn not to despair of the recovery of the greatest sinners. But let none dare to persist in sin, presuming that they may repent and reform when they please. There are a few instances of the conversion of notorious sinners, that none may despair; and but few, that none may presume.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The line - She shall have the same measure, the same judgments which Samaria had. The line is often put for one's lot or portion, because mens portions or possessions used to be measured by lines. A dish - As men do with a dish that hath been used, first wholly empty it of all that is in it, then throughly cleanse and wipe it; and lastly, turn it upside down, that nothing may remain in it; so will I deal with Jerusalem, throughly empty and purge it from all its wicked inhabitants. Yet the comparison intimates, that this should be in order to the purifying, not the final destruction of Jerusalem. The dish shall not be broken in pieces, or wholly cast away, but only wiped.
McArther Bible Commentary
the plummet. These were weighted lines dropped from walls to see whether they were structurally straight (cf. Isa 28:17; Amo 7:7-8). Walls out of line were torn down. The Lord had measured Jerusalem by the standard of His Word and had determined that the fate of Samaria (Israel) was also to befall Jerusalem. wipe Jerusalem. As one would wipe food off a dish, the Lord would wipe Jerusalem clean off the earth, i.e., obliterate her and leave her turned upside down, empty and useless.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:14 2 Kings 23:27 Isaiah 28:17 Isaiah 34:11 Lamentations 2:8 Ezekiel 7:5 Ezekiel 23:31 Amos 7:7 Amos 7:8

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The prophetic denunciations against Judah.
Here is the doom of Judah and Jerusalem. The words used represent the city emptied and utterly desolate, yet not destroyed thereby, but cleansed, and to be kept for the future dwelling of the Jews: forsaken, yet not finally, and only as to outward privileges, for individual believers were preserved in that visitation. The Lord will cast off any professing people who dishonour him by their crimes, but never will desert his cause on earth. In the book of Chronicles we read of Manasseh's repentance, and acceptance with God; thus we may learn not to despair of the recovery of the greatest sinners. But let none dare to persist in sin, presuming that they may repent and reform when they please. There are a few instances of the conversion of notorious sinners, that none may despair; and but few, that none may presume.
McArther Bible Commentary
forsake. The Lord was going to abandon His people into the hands of enemies who would plunder them (cf. Jer 12:7). remnant. Judah, the only remaining group of the chosen people.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:13 2 Kings 21:15 2 Kings 23:27 Jeremiah 44:27

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The prophetic denunciations against Judah.
Here is the doom of Judah and Jerusalem. The words used represent the city emptied and utterly desolate, yet not destroyed thereby, but cleansed, and to be kept for the future dwelling of the Jews: forsaken, yet not finally, and only as to outward privileges, for individual believers were preserved in that visitation. The Lord will cast off any professing people who dishonour him by their crimes, but never will desert his cause on earth. In the book of Chronicles we read of Manasseh's repentance, and acceptance with God; thus we may learn not to despair of the recovery of the greatest sinners. But let none dare to persist in sin, presuming that they may repent and reform when they please. There are a few instances of the conversion of notorious sinners, that none may despair; and but few, that none may presume.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Since, &c. - This forejudgment, though it was chiefly inflicted for the sins of Manasseh and his generation, yet had a respect unto all their former sins.
McArther Bible Commentary
provoked Me to anger. The history of God's people, Israel, was a history of disobedience toward the Lord. With the reign of Manasseh, the sin of God's people climaxed, God's patience was withdrawn, and the judgment of exile became inevitable (cf. 2Ki 24:1-4).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:14 2 Kings 21:16 Jeremiah 25:7

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The prophetic denunciations against Judah.
Here is the doom of Judah and Jerusalem. The words used represent the city emptied and utterly desolate, yet not destroyed thereby, but cleansed, and to be kept for the future dwelling of the Jews: forsaken, yet not finally, and only as to outward privileges, for individual believers were preserved in that visitation. The Lord will cast off any professing people who dishonour him by their crimes, but never will desert his cause on earth. In the book of Chronicles we read of Manasseh's repentance, and acceptance with God; thus we may learn not to despair of the recovery of the greatest sinners. But let none dare to persist in sin, presuming that they may repent and reform when they please. There are a few instances of the conversion of notorious sinners, that none may despair; and but few, that none may presume.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Blood - The blood of those prophets and righteous men who either reproved his sinful practices, or refused to comply with his wicked commands. His sin - His idolatry, which is called sin, by way of eminency. The tradition of the Jews is, that he caused Isaiah in particular to be sawn asunder.
McArther Bible Commentary
very much innocent blood. The reference here is ambiguous and several interpretations have been offered: (1) child sacrifice (cf. 2Ki 21:6); (2) oppression and persecution of the weak (Jer 7:6; Jer 22:3, Jer 22:17; Eze 22:6-31); or (3) the martyrdom of God's prophets (cf. 2Ki 21:10). A combination of all three is most likely. Jewish and Christian tradition alike report that Manasseh had Isaiah sawn in two inside a hollow log (cf. Heb 11:37).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:11 2 Kings 21:15 2 Kings 24:4 Jeremiah 2:34 Jeremiah 19:4 Jeremiah 32:31 Ezekiel 9:9 Ezekiel 22:4

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The prophetic denunciations against Judah.
Here is the doom of Judah and Jerusalem. The words used represent the city emptied and utterly desolate, yet not destroyed thereby, but cleansed, and to be kept for the future dwelling of the Jews: forsaken, yet not finally, and only as to outward privileges, for individual believers were preserved in that visitation. The Lord will cast off any professing people who dishonour him by their crimes, but never will desert his cause on earth. In the book of Chronicles we read of Manasseh's repentance, and acceptance with God; thus we may learn not to despair of the recovery of the greatest sinners. But let none dare to persist in sin, presuming that they may repent and reform when they please. There are a few instances of the conversion of notorious sinners, that none may despair; and but few, that none may presume.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 14:19 2 Chronicles 33:11

Verse 18

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The prophetic denunciations against Judah.
Here is the doom of Judah and Jerusalem. The words used represent the city emptied and utterly desolate, yet not destroyed thereby, but cleansed, and to be kept for the future dwelling of the Jews: forsaken, yet not finally, and only as to outward privileges, for individual believers were preserved in that visitation. The Lord will cast off any professing people who dishonour him by their crimes, but never will desert his cause on earth. In the book of Chronicles we read of Manasseh's repentance, and acceptance with God; thus we may learn not to despair of the recovery of the greatest sinners. But let none dare to persist in sin, presuming that they may repent and reform when they please. There are a few instances of the conversion of notorious sinners, that none may despair; and but few, that none may presume.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Garden - Not in the sepulchre of the kings; probably, by his own choice and command, as a lasting testimony of his sincere repentance and abhorrence of himself for his former crime.
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 25:1 2 Kings 21:26 2 Chronicles 33:20 Jeremiah 1:2 Zephaniah 1:1

Verse 19

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign and death of Amon.
Amon profaned God's house with his idols; and God suffered his house to be polluted with his blood. How unrighteous soever they were that did it, God was righteous who suffered it to be done. Now was a happy change from one of the worst, to one of the best of the kings of Judah. Once more Judah was tried with a reformation. Whether the Lord bears long with presumptuous offenders, or speedily cuts them off in their sins, all must perish who persist in refusing to walk in his ways.
McArther Bible Commentary
two years. -640 B.C. Amon continued the idolatrous practices of his father, abandoning the Lord completely (2Ki 21:20-22). See note on 2Ch 33:21-25.
Bible Cross References
Numbers 3:39 2 Chronicles 33:21

Verse 20

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign and death of Amon.
Amon profaned God's house with his idols; and God suffered his house to be polluted with his blood. How unrighteous soever they were that did it, God was righteous who suffered it to be done. Now was a happy change from one of the worst, to one of the best of the kings of Judah. Once more Judah was tried with a reformation. Whether the Lord bears long with presumptuous offenders, or speedily cuts them off in their sins, all must perish who persist in refusing to walk in his ways.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:2 2 Kings 21:11 2 Kings 21:21

Verse 21

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign and death of Amon.
Amon profaned God's house with his idols; and God suffered his house to be polluted with his blood. How unrighteous soever they were that did it, God was righteous who suffered it to be done. Now was a happy change from one of the worst, to one of the best of the kings of Judah. Once more Judah was tried with a reformation. Whether the Lord bears long with presumptuous offenders, or speedily cuts them off in their sins, all must perish who persist in refusing to walk in his ways.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
He walked, &c. - He revived that idolatry which Manasseh in the latter end of his reign had put down. Those who set bad examples, if they repent themselves, cannot be sure that they whom their example has drawn into sin will repent. It is often otherwise.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:11 2 Kings 21:20 2 Kings 21:22 2 Kings 23:24

Verse 22

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign and death of Amon.
Amon profaned God's house with his idols; and God suffered his house to be polluted with his blood. How unrighteous soever they were that did it, God was righteous who suffered it to be done. Now was a happy change from one of the worst, to one of the best of the kings of Judah. Once more Judah was tried with a reformation. Whether the Lord bears long with presumptuous offenders, or speedily cuts them off in their sins, all must perish who persist in refusing to walk in his ways.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:21 2 Kings 22:17 1 Chronicles 28:9

Verse 23

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign and death of Amon.
Amon profaned God's house with his idols; and God suffered his house to be polluted with his blood. How unrighteous soever they were that did it, God was righteous who suffered it to be done. Now was a happy change from one of the worst, to one of the best of the kings of Judah. Once more Judah was tried with a reformation. Whether the Lord bears long with presumptuous offenders, or speedily cuts them off in their sins, all must perish who persist in refusing to walk in his ways.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 12:20 2 Kings 14:19

Verse 24

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign and death of Amon.
Amon profaned God's house with his idols; and God suffered his house to be polluted with his blood. How unrighteous soever they were that did it, God was righteous who suffered it to be done. Now was a happy change from one of the worst, to one of the best of the kings of Judah. Once more Judah was tried with a reformation. Whether the Lord bears long with presumptuous offenders, or speedily cuts them off in their sins, all must perish who persist in refusing to walk in his ways.
McArther Bible Commentary
the people of the land. Probably a group of Judah's national leaders who killed the assassins of Amon and installed his son Josiah on the throne. Apparently, they desired to maintain the Davidic dynasty (cf. 2Ki 11:14-18).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 14:5 2 Kings 21:25 Jeremiah 1:2

Verse 25

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign and death of Amon.
Amon profaned God's house with his idols; and God suffered his house to be polluted with his blood. How unrighteous soever they were that did it, God was righteous who suffered it to be done. Now was a happy change from one of the worst, to one of the best of the kings of Judah. Once more Judah was tried with a reformation. Whether the Lord bears long with presumptuous offenders, or speedily cuts them off in their sins, all must perish who persist in refusing to walk in his ways.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:24 2 Kings 21:26

Verse 26

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reign and death of Amon.
Amon profaned God's house with his idols; and God suffered his house to be polluted with his blood. How unrighteous soever they were that did it, God was righteous who suffered it to be done. Now was a happy change from one of the worst, to one of the best of the kings of Judah. Once more Judah was tried with a reformation. Whether the Lord bears long with presumptuous offenders, or speedily cuts them off in their sins, all must perish who persist in refusing to walk in his ways.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:18 2 Kings 21:25