Manasseh,Amon,Josiah II Kings 21

II Kings 21:1-2 "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. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel."

Manasseh ruled 55 years and was a very bad ruler. He killed the children and built back the altars that Hezekiah had torn down. He went so far as to set up an image in the house of the LORD.

v4 "And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said In Jerusalem will I put my name."

Even men are particular about the place where they put their name whether it be a business or a memorial to their good deeds.

We are talking about the LORD's name which is not just a word on a sign. It is a name with power and might.

Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Ephesians 1:20-21 "Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in the is world but also in that which is to come:"

Philippians 2:9-11 "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Hebrews 1:4 "Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they."

So then we can see the very great sin of this man who brought images of false gods into the place where the LORD chose to put his own name.

v16 "Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD."

I have used a lot of scripture for which I do not apologize. The scripture is the best commentary on itself. It passes through thousands of years of history and yet agrees with itself completely. We see it fulfilled even today as we watch the news.

Amon ruled after Manasseh and continued the evil ways of his father.

v22 "And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD."

Josiah is the next king and he is a good one. He was eight years old when he started to reign and we will see that in the next chapter. There was a conspiracy against Amon and after he was dead, the people slew all those involved and made Josiah king at eight years old.

Psalm 9:15 "The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken."

Keywords: Bible Study, Old Testament, Kings, Manasseh, Israel, Judah. Manasseh rules a long time but is a very bad king.