Manasseh begins his fifty-five year reign at age twelve, doing more evil than the dispossessed nations: rebuilding high places, erecting Baal altars, making an Asherah like Ahab, worshiping the host of heaven, building altars in the temple, passing his son through fire, practicing divination, soothsaying, and necromancy, and setting up the Asherah pole in the temple itself. He sheds innocent blood until Jerusalem fills from end to end. The LORD declares through His prophets that He will bring disaster on Jerusalem and Judah so severe that hearers' ears will tingle; He will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, abandoning His remnant to plunder because of their provocation since Egypt. Manasseh dies; Amon his son reigns two years in evil until servants conspire and kill him. The people kill the conspirators and make Josiah king.
Read 2 Kings Chapter 21 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
Elijah's successor who performed many miracles and ministered to Israel's kings
Faithful king of Judah who trusted God against Assyria and was healed from illness
Reforming king who rediscovered the Law and led Judah in renewal
Syrian commander healed of leprosy by Elisha, demonstrating God's grace to Gentiles
Wicked king of Judah who led the nation into deep idolatry
King of Israel, Husband of Jezebel
King of Israel
Wise King of Israel
Prophet and Lawgiver
Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ
Places in This Chapter
Egypt plays a significant role throughout the Bible, from the time of Abraham to the flight of the Holy Family. Joseph was sold into slavery there and rose to become second to Pharaoh, saving his family during famine. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years before God delivered them through Moses in the Exodus. Jesus' family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod, fulfilling the prophecy "Out of Egypt I called my son."
Position in Book
Hezekiah's faithfulness, Manasseh's wickedness, Josiah's reforms, fall of Jerusalem to Babylon.