Study notes
Manasseh ruled for fifty-five years, from 697 to 642 BC, longer than any other king in Judah. His reign included a period when he ruled with his father, Hezekiah, from 697 to 686 BC. A long reign often indicated blessing, even though Manasseh did evil in the Lord's sight. The Chronicler describes his humiliation, repentance, and the restoration of worship in Judah.
2 Chronicles records a story about Manasseh that wasn’t included in 2 Kings. He made himself humble before God and prayed for God to help him. He did this after God brought judgement against him for his evil deeds. God allowed the Assyrian army to make Manasseh a prisoner in Babylon.
Manasseh turned away from his evil ways after God punished and corrected him. Because Manasseh repented, God allowed him to return to Jerusalem. When he once again ruled as king, he led the people to worship only God. He no longer did the evil things he had done before. Yet his son Amon followed the evil example Manasseh had set for many years. He didn’t follow Manasseh’s example of repenting and being humble.
Josiah was a king like David, Solomon and Hezekiah. He got rid of everything that was used to worship false gods. He did this in the southern kingdom. He also did it in the land that where the northern kingdom had been. Assyria controlled that land. But any Israelites who still lived there were allowed to worship the true God. So were the outsiders who lived there.
Josiah had the temple repaired. He made sure that the Book of the Law was read to the people. This was a copy of the Law of Moses. He learnt about the covenant curses while reading about the Mount Sinai covenant. He hoped to stop the covenant curses from coming. So while he was king, all 12 tribes of Israel obeyed God. Those in the southern kingdom and those left in the northern kingdom followed God faithfully.
When he was older, Josiah made a foolish decision to fight against Egypt’s army. This led to his death. It also led to Egypt taking control of the government of the southern kingdom. The king of Egypt chose their next king.
The carved idol represented Asherah (see 2 Kings 21:7).
A nose ring caused both pain and total humiliation. Assyrian records describe this treatment of their prisoners.
Manasseh's response met the requirements of Solomon's prayer during the temple's dedication (2 Chronicles 7:14).
The book of Kings does not mention Manasseh’s repentance. It only tells of the promised judgment due to his wicked deeds (see 2 Kings 21:10–16). Chronicles describes the good things he did after repenting, following his father Hezekiah’s example. However, Manasseh’s actions could not turn the people's hearts back to the Lord or stop God’s judgment on Judah (2 Chronicles 33:17).
Manasseh's experience was a small version of what the nation would face: exile and captivity due to turning away from God, followed by repentance and returning to the Lord.
Manasseh might have been fixing the walls when he was captured. His religious reforms were like Hezekiah's but not finished. Later, Josiah removed the temple altars that Manasseh had built (2 Kings 23:12).
The Chronicles of the Kings of Israel is a record that is no longer available.
the Records of the Seers: This document is no longer available.
Amon ruled for a short time from 642 to 640 BC.
The text does not specify the political forces behind Amon’s assassination. However, Egypt might have instigated it when Assyria's power weakened, creating an opportunity.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources