The divided kingdom · 2 Chronicles 33
Manasseh’s Repentance
Manasseh becomes king of Judah at twelve and reigns fifty-five years in Jerusalem. He rebuilds the high places his father Hezekiah had torn down, raises altars to the Baals and to all the host of heaven, even in the two courts of the temple, and sets an idol in the house of God. He makes his sons pass through the fire in the valley of Hinnom and dabbles in witchcraft. He leads Judah to do more evil than the nations. The LORD speaks to him, but he and his people pay no attention. So the captains of the king of Assyria’s army seize him, bind him with bronze fetters, and carry him to Babylon. In his distress, Manasseh pleads with the LORD and humbles himself greatly. God is moved by his plea and brings him back to Jerusalem: “Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.” He removes the idols and restores the altar.
What happens
- King at twelve, Manasseh rebuilds Hezekiah’s high places 2 Chronicles 33:1–3
- He sacrifices his sons in the fire and sets an idol in the temple 2 Chronicles 33:6–7
- The LORD speaks to him, but they pay no attention 2 Chronicles 33:10
- The Assyrians seize him and take him in chains to Babylon 2 Chronicles 33:11
- In his distress he humbles himself: the LORD hears him 2 Chronicles 33:12–13
- He removes the idols and restores the altar of the LORD 2 Chronicles 33:15–16
Who is in this story
The lesson
No sin is too great for God’s grace: a king who had led his people to do more evil than the nations humbles himself, and the LORD is moved by his plea. True repentance shows itself in action: Manasseh removes the idols and restores the altar.
And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.
Quick quiz on this story
How old is Manasseh when he becomes king?
“Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem.” He did evil in the sight of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 33:1
Where do the captains of the Assyrian army take Manasseh in chains?
They seize Manasseh, bind him with fetters, and carry him to Babylon. 2 Chronicles 33:11
Where does Manasseh set the carved image of the idol he had made?
He set the idol in the house of God, the very place where God had said to David and to Solomon that he would put his name forever. 2 Chronicles 33:7
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