Topical Bible: Idolatry: Amon

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Topical Encyclopedia

Amon, the son of Manasseh and the fifteenth king of Judah, is a significant figure in the biblical narrative concerning idolatry. His reign is noted for its continuation and intensification of the idolatrous practices initiated by his father, Manasseh. Amon's account is primarily found in the Old Testament books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Background and Reign

Amon ascended to the throne at the age of twenty-two and reigned for two years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 21:19). His mother was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. Amon's reign is characterized by a return to the idolatrous practices that his father, Manasseh, had established, which included the worship of Baal, Asherah, and the host of heaven. These practices were in direct violation of the covenantal laws given to Israel, which strictly prohibited idolatry and commanded exclusive worship of Yahweh.

Idolatrous Practices

The biblical account in 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 follow in the footsteps of his father, perpetuating the idolatrous practices that had led Judah away from the worship of the true God.

Amon's reign was marked by a disregard for the reforms that his grandfather, Hezekiah, had implemented. Hezekiah had worked to rid Judah of idolatry and restore the worship of Yahweh, but Amon's actions reversed these efforts, leading the nation back into spiritual apostasy.

Consequences and Death

Amon's idolatry and evil practices ultimately led to his downfall. His reign was cut short when his own servants conspired against him and assassinated him in his palace (2 Kings 21:23). The people of the land, however, executed the conspirators and made Josiah, Amon's son, king in his place (2 Kings 21:24).

The brief account of Amon's reign serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of idolatry and the consequences of turning away from God. His failure to heed the lessons of his forefathers and his persistence in idolatrous worship resulted in his untimely death and further instability in the kingdom of Judah.

Legacy

Amon's legacy is overshadowed by the reign of his son, Josiah, who became one of Judah's most righteous kings. Josiah's reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh stand in stark contrast to the idolatrous practices of his father. Amon's life and reign serve as a reminder of the destructive nature of idolatry and the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 21:21
And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Captivity.
... Manasseh's son, Amon, undid all the reformation of his latter years, and brought
back idolatry; and indeed, the whole Jewish people had become so corrupt, that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... was the son of the pious Hezekiah, and Josiah was the son of wicked Amon. ... circumstances
than Josiah"nay, scarcely in a heathen: he had idolatry around him ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

Manasseh and Josiah
... wicked reign, when paganism was revived, and many of the people were led into idolatry. ...
Of King Amon it is written: "He walked in all the way that his father ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 32 manasseh and josiah.htm

The Kingdom of Judah.
... Reigned 55 year and died. 15. Amon, 2:K.21:19-26; 2:Chron.33:20-25. ... (5) The good
reign of Josiah, who destroyed the altars of idolatry, repaired the temple and ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiv the kingdom of.htm

First and Second Chronicles.
... 5. Reign of Hezekiah, Chs.29-32. 6. Reign of Manasseh and Amon, Ch.33. 7. Reign
of Josiah, Chs.34-35. ... (10) The evil results of idolatry. * * * *. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter x first and second.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... marriage-covenant; thus making unfaithfulness to God, and especially idolatry and
idolatrous ... earth, and made like populous No, that is, No-amon, the celebrated ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

Refutation of the Jews
... David of Jesse, Solomon of David, Hezekiah of Ahaz, Josiah of Amon, Isaiah of ... Abraham
came there certainly, but idolatry prevailed just the same; and Moses was ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 6 refutation of the.htm

Egypt
... Here Amon-Ra is said to have "gone to" the queen, "that he might be a ... and abundance,
but it was also a land of popular superstition and idolatry, and the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ...
... There is no sin more grievous than idolatry, for it is an impiety against God: and ...
according to the conversation of my evil heart." Such a one was Amon the son ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii how the bishop is.htm

The Assumption of Moses
... The, proneness of the Jews to idolatry, the likelihood that the body of their great ...
Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm