Topical Bible: Citizens: Wicked: Amon

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Amon, the son of Manasseh, was the fifteenth king of Judah and is noted for his wickedness and idolatry. His reign is recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in 2 Kings 21:19-26 and 2 Chronicles 33:21-25. Amon's rule is characterized by a continuation and intensification of the idolatrous practices initiated by his father, Manasseh, which were in direct opposition to the covenantal laws given to Israel.

Background and Reign

Amon ascended to the throne at the age of twenty-two and reigned for two years in Jerusalem. His mother was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. The brief account of his reign in the Scriptures highlights his evil actions and his failure to follow the ways of the Lord. The Berean Standard Bible states in 2 Kings 21:20-22, "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 worshiped them. He abandoned the LORD, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the LORD."

Amon's reign was marked by a return to the idolatrous practices that his father had temporarily abandoned after his repentance. Amon's actions included the worship of carved images and the continuation of pagan rituals, which provoked the anger of the Lord. His reign is a stark reminder of the spiritual decline that can occur when leaders forsake the commandments of God and lead their people into sin.

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 this event in 2 Kings 21:23-24 : "Then the servants of Amon conspired against him and killed the king in his palace. But the people of the land struck down all who had conspired against King Amon, and they made his son Josiah king in his place."

The assassination of Amon reflects the instability and discontent within the kingdom due to his wicked rule. However, the people of the land took swift action to avenge his death and placed his son Josiah on the throne. Josiah would later become one of the most righteous kings of Judah, known for his reforms and efforts to restore the worship of the Lord.

Legacy

Amon's legacy is one of infamy, as he is remembered for his unfaithfulness to God and his perpetuation of idolatry. His life serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of turning away from the Lord and leading others into sin. Despite his short reign, Amon's actions had a lasting impact on the spiritual state of Judah, setting the stage for the reforms of his son Josiah, who sought to undo the damage caused by his father's and grandfather's idolatry.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 21:23
And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Antiquities of the Jews
... Also What He Did For The Punishment Of The Wicked. ... Amon Reigned Instead Of Manasseh;
And After Amon Reigned Josiah ... Of The Jews And Made Them Citizens Of Those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Psalm LXXXIII.
... enemies of God's people, not those who become citizens, but those ... Moab and the Hagarenes,
Gebal, and Amon, and Amalech ... in as far as they are wicked, that being ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxiii.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... years before Christ, while that wicked Manassah was ... His son, Amon, became the sovereign
under the ... in previous conquests, and were useful, respectable citizens. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... to prevent the recurrence of such wicked plots, Pharaoh ... of Nsittaui, the great sanctuary
of Amon; Ashiru sheltered ... of both, and among the citizens such names ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... of its rulers and the industry of its citizens, had amassed ... the days of Josiah, the
son of Amon, King of ... sea, and the stumbling-blocks with the wicked; and I ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... aspect"Asto-vidhotu, the demon of death, who would devote to destruction the estimable
Fravashis;** Apaosha, the enemy of Tishtrya the wicked black horse ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm