Amon, the son of Manasseh and the grandson of Hezekiah, was the fifteenth king of Judah. His reign is chronicled in the Old Testament, specifically in 2 Kings 21:19-26 and 2 Chronicles 33:21-25. Amon ascended to the throne at the age of twenty-two and reigned for a brief period of two years, from approximately 642 to 640 BC.

Reign and Religious Practices

Amon's reign is marked by a continuation of the idolatrous practices initiated by his father, Manasseh. Despite Manasseh's late repentance and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh, Amon did not follow in these steps. Instead, he reverted to the pagan practices that had previously angered the Lord. The Berean Standard Bible states, "He did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done. He walked in all the ways of his father, and he served the idols that his father had served, and he worshiped them" (2 Kings 21:20-21).

Amon's actions included the worship of carved images and the neglect of the temple, which further entrenched the nation in idolatry. His reign is characterized by a lack of spiritual reform and a disregard for the covenantal relationship between God and Judah.

Assassination and Aftermath

Amon's reign came to an abrupt end when he was assassinated by his own officials in his palace. The Bible records, "Then the servants of Amon conspired against him and killed the king in his palace" (2 Kings 21:23). This act of treachery, however, did not lead to a change in leadership from outside the royal line. The people of the land executed those who had conspired against Amon and placed his son, Josiah, on the throne.

Legacy

Amon's short reign is often overshadowed by the significant reforms of his son, Josiah, who became one of Judah's most righteous kings. Amon's failure to heed the lessons of his father's repentance and his persistence in idolatry serve as a cautionary tale of the consequences of turning away from God. His life and reign are a testament to the importance of faithfulness to the covenant and the dangers of leading a nation into spiritual apostasy.

Amon was buried in his tomb in the garden of Uzza, as noted in 2 Kings 21:26, "He was buried in his tomb in the garden of Uzza, and his son Josiah became king in his place" . His legacy is a reminder of the fleeting nature of power and the enduring impact of one's spiritual choices on future generations.