Topical Bible: Rulers: Wicked: Amon, Who Followed the Evil Example of Manasseh

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Amon, the son of Manasseh, was a king of Judah who reigned for a brief period of two years, from approximately 642 to 640 BC. His reign is noted for its continuation of the idolatrous practices established by his father, Manasseh, which were in direct opposition to the commandments of Yahweh. Amon's account is primarily documented in the Old Testament books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Background and Reign

Amon ascended to the throne at the age of 22, following the death of his father, Manasseh. The Bible records that Manasseh, despite his later repentance, had led Judah into significant spiritual decline by introducing and promoting idol worship, including the worship of Baal and Asherah, and even setting up altars for these deities within the temple of the Lord (2 Kings 21:3-7). Amon, rather than learning from his father's eventual repentance, chose to emulate the earlier, more wicked aspects of Manasseh's reign.

2 Kings 21:20-22 states, "And 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. He abandoned the LORD, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the LORD." This passage highlights Amon's deliberate choice to forsake the covenantal relationship with God, opting instead for the idolatrous practices that had previously brought divine judgment upon Judah.

Idolatry and Rebellion

Amon's reign was marked by a continuation of the idolatry that had plagued Judah under Manasseh. The high places, altars, and images that Manasseh had erected were maintained and possibly even expanded under Amon's rule. His actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the reforms that his grandfather, Hezekiah, had implemented, which had sought to restore true worship in Judah.

The chronicler in 2 Chronicles 33:22 echoes the account in Kings, stating, "And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon worshiped and offered sacrifices to all the idols that Manasseh his father had made." This repetition underscores the severity of Amon's apostasy and his failure to heed the lessons of his father's life.

Assassination and Aftermath

Amon's reign was abruptly ended when his own officials conspired against him and assassinated him in his palace (2 Kings 21:23). This act of treachery reflects the instability and discontent that his idolatrous policies had sown within the kingdom. However, the people of the land, perhaps recognizing the need for stability or out of loyalty to the Davidic line, executed the conspirators and placed Amon's son, Josiah, on the throne (2 Kings 21:24).

Josiah, in stark contrast to his father and grandfather, would go on to become one of Judah's most righteous kings, initiating significant religious reforms and restoring the worship of Yahweh. Amon's brief and ignominious reign serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of forsaking God's commandments and the enduring impact of a leader's spiritual choices on a nation.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 21:19-22
Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Greater Prophets.
... the prophets held in the Theocracy, followed by a ... under such kings as Manasseh and
Amon; nor could ... such a degenerate age to rebuke the wicked rulers and people ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... which, thanks to the good government of its rulers and the ... in 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
... wicked young woman, the ugliest and most wicked it had ... the rank of subjects to that
of rulers of Iran ... thought to recognise in the tradition followed by Ctesias ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm