Topical Bible: Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Manasseh

◄ Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Manasseh ►

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Introduction:
Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah and Hephzibah, was the fourteenth king of the Kingdom of Judah. His reign is recorded in the biblical books of 2 Kings 21:1-18 and 2 Chronicles 33:1-20. Manasseh's rule is noted for its length and its significant departure from the religious reforms of his father, Hezekiah.

Reign and Religious Practices:
Manasseh ascended to the throne at the tender age of twelve and reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem, making his reign the longest of any king of Judah. His rule is marked by a dramatic shift from the monotheistic worship of Yahweh to the introduction and promotion of idolatry and pagan practices. The Berean Standard Bible in 2 Kings 21:2-3 states, "And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He also bowed down to all the host of heaven and served them."

Manasseh's reign was characterized by the construction of altars to foreign gods within the temple of the LORD, the practice of child sacrifice, and the consultation of mediums and spiritists. These actions provoked the LORD's anger, as they led the people of Judah astray and defiled the sacred temple in Jerusalem.

Prophetic Warnings and Consequences:
The prophets of the LORD warned Manasseh and the people of Judah about the consequences of their idolatry and disobedience. The BSB in 2 Kings 21:12-13 records the LORD's declaration: "Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Behold, I am bringing such calamity on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of all who hear of it will tingle. I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab, and I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish—wiping it and turning it upside down.'"

Despite these warnings, Manasseh continued in his ways, leading to the eventual downfall of Judah. His reign is often seen as a significant factor in the spiritual and moral decline that led to the Babylonian exile.

Repentance and Restoration:
In a remarkable turn of events, 2 Chronicles 33:10-13 recounts Manasseh's capture by the Assyrians and subsequent repentance. The BSB states, "And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they did not listen. So the LORD brought against them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon. In his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to Him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea; so He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God."

Upon his return, Manasseh attempted to undo some of the damage he had caused by removing foreign idols and restoring the altar of the LORD. However, the impact of his earlier actions had lasting effects on the nation.

Legacy:
Manasseh's reign is a complex narrative of sin, judgment, repentance, and partial restoration. His account serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, yet it also highlights the possibility of redemption through genuine repentance. Despite his late-life reforms, the spiritual decline initiated during his reign contributed to the eventual destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of Judah. Manasseh's son, Amon, succeeded him, continuing the cycle of idolatry until the reforms of his grandson, Josiah.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 21:1-18
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 33:1-20
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Manasseh
... Of all the kings that reigned in Jerusalem, this man's ... the portraits of all the doges
or kings who ruled ... They hurry over the fifty-five years; they crowd them ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/manasseh.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... among them; and several pious princes reigned over them. ... Then, impartial heaven
"stretched over Jerusalem the line of ... One of their kings did much to swell that ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... Became More Wicked Than All The Kings That Had ... How Jotham, The Son Of Uzziah Reigned
Over The Tribe ... Subdued By Shalmaneser; And How Hezekiah Reigned Instead Of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Nations of the South-East
... was established at Gur-Baal in the south of Judah. ... the days of Tiglath-pileser the
kings of Saba ... from Babylonia, and the dynasty which reigned over Babylon in ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... over Moab for thirty years, and I reigned after my ... city of Jerusalem; upon the throne
of lordship over them I ... are told that among the twenty-two kings of the ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

Josiah
... old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem ... and to floor the houses which
the kings of Judah ... Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... "In the days of Pekah," who reigned twenty years ... land of Naphtali" (1 Chronicles
5:26; 2 Kings 15:29 ... only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, over which Hezekiah ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

Questions.
... 14. Who reigned over the rest of Israel? 15. ... 29. Who reigned after Hezekiah? 30. ... 7.
What prophecy did Josiah exactly fulfil?"1 Kings, xiii.2.31, 32,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Nineveh.
... triumphs, and all the scenes in the kings' histories, nay ... the best King of Samaria
that had yet reigned, for he ... but the free days of Judah were over, and they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ix nineveh.htm

Deliverance from Assyria
... back by the way by which thou camest." 2 Kings 19:20 ... of his own home, "and Esarhaddon
his son reigned in his ... The God of the Hebrews had prevailed over the proud ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 30 deliverance from assyria.htm