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2 Kings 21 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
This chapter is filled to the brim with the evil of Manasseh. He would be remembered as the king who led his people back into the darkness of which they hadn’t seen since King Ahab. His actions were appalling.
Kings and Chronicles overlap in their stories about Israel and Judah. Check out this story about Manasseh in 2 Chronicles 33…
Although the LORD warned Manasseh and his people, they refused to listen. 11 So the LORD let the commanders of the Assyrian army invade Judah. They captured Manasseh, stuck hooks in him, put him in chains, and took him to Babylon. 12 In his suffering he became humble, turned to the LORD his God, and begged him for help. 13 God accepted Manasseh’s prayer and answered it by letting him go back to Jerusalem and rule again. This convinced Manasseh that the LORD was God.
2 Chronicles 33:10-13 GNB
What an amazing testimony! Manasseh was taken captive, and he hit rock bottom. He was undoubtedly raised by Hezekiah with a firm foundation, and he knew who the living God was. It would be in this moment that he would call out to the Lord, and even though he didn’t deserve it, the Lord answered. Amazingly, he was forgiven and restored back to his leadership position. We read on in 2 Chronicles that he does not take this forgiveness for granted.
He removed from the Temple the foreign gods and the image that he had placed there, and the pagan altars that were on the hill where the Temple stood and in other places in Jerusalem; he took all these things outside the city and threw them away. 16 He also repaired the altar where the LORD was worshiped, and he sacrificed fellowship offerings and thanksgiving offerings on it. He commanded all the people of Judah to worship the LORD, the God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 33:15-16 GNB
In an unbelievable turn of events, Manasseh’s heart was changed. He lived out his calling as king as God had intended and led the people back to the Lord. Ironically, his father, Hezekiah, started off so strong for the Lord, but when given a second chance, he lived selfishly for himself. Manasseh started off so evil, but when given a second chance, he lived wholeheartedly for the Lord. It’s a great story of repentance and heart change, but more so, about the mercy of God.