2 Chronicles 33

1 duodecim annorum erat Manasses cum regnare coepisset et quinquaginta quinque annis regnavit in Hierusalem

2 fecit autem malum coram Domino iuxta abominationes gentium quas subvertit Dominus coram filiis Israhel

3 et conversus instauravit excelsa quae demolitus fuerat Ezechias pater eius construxitque aras Baalim et fecit lucos et adoravit omnem militiam caeli et coluit eam

4 aedificavit quoque altaria in domo Domini de qua dixerat Dominus in Hierusalem erit nomen meum in aeternum

5 aedificavit autem ea cuncto exercitui caeli in duobus atriis domus Domini

6 transireque fecit filios suos per ignem in valle Benennon observabat somnia sectabatur auguria maleficis artibus inserviebat habebat secum magos et incantatores multaque mala operatus est coram Domino ut inritaret eum

7 sculptile quoque et conflatile signum posuit in domo Domini de qua locutus est Dominus ad David et ad Salomonem filium eius dicens in domo hac et in Hierusalem quam elegi de cunctis tribubus Israhel ponam nomen meum in sempiternum

8 et movere non faciam pedem Israhel de terra quam tradidi patribus eorum ita dumtaxat si custodierint facere quae praecepi eis cunctamque legem et caerimonias atque iudicia per manum Mosi

9 igitur Manasses seduxit Iudam et habitatores Hierusalem ut facerent malum super omnes gentes quas subverterat Dominus a facie filiorum Israhel

10 locutusque est Dominus ad eum et ad populum illius et adtendere noluerunt

11 idcirco superinduxit eis principes exercitus regis Assyriorum ceperuntque Manassen et vinctum catenis atque conpedibus duxerunt Babylonem

12 qui postquam coangustatus est oravit Dominum Deum suum et egit paenitentiam valde coram Deo patrum suorum

13 deprecatusque est eum et obsecravit intente et exaudivit orationem eius reduxitque eum Hierusalem in regnum suum et cognovit Manasses quod Dominus ipse esset Deus

14 post haec aedificavit murum extra civitatem David ad occidentem Gion in convalle ab introitu portae Piscium per circuitum usque ad Ophel et exaltavit illum vehementer constituitque principes exercitus in cunctis civitatibus Iuda munitis

15 et abstulit deos alienos et simulacrum de domo Domini aras quoque quas fecerat in monte domus Domini et in Hierusalem et proiecit omnia extra urbem

16 porro instauravit altare Domini et immolavit super illud victimas et pacifica et laudem praecepitque Iudae ut serviret Domino Deo Israhel

17 attamen adhuc populus immolabat in excelsis Domino Deo suo

18 reliqua autem gestorum Manasse et obsecratio eius ad Deum suum verba quoque videntium qui loquebantur ad eum in nomine Domini Dei Israhel continentur in sermonibus regum Israhel

19 oratio quoque eius et exauditio et cuncta peccata atque contemptus loca etiam in quibus aedificavit excelsa et fecit lucos et statuas antequam ageret paenitentiam scripta sunt in sermonibus Ozai

20 dormivit ergo Manasses cum patribus suis et sepelierunt eum in domo sua regnavitque pro eo filius eius Amon

21 viginti duo annorum erat Amon cum regnare coepisset et duobus annis regnavit in Hierusalem

22 fecitque malum in conspectu Domini sicut fecerat Manasses pater eius et cunctis idolis quae Manasses fuerat fabricatus immolavit atque servivit

23 et non est reveritus faciem Domini sicut reveritus est Manasses pater eius et multo maiora deliquit

24 cumque coniurassent adversus eum servi sui interfecerunt eum in domo sua

25 porro reliqua populi multitudo caesis his qui Amon percusserant constituit regem Iosiam filium eius pro eo

2 Chronicles 33 Commentary

Chapter 33

Manasseh's and repentance. (1-20) Amon's wicked reign in Judah. (21-25)

Verses 1-20 We have seen Manasseh's wickedness; here we have his repentance, and a memorable instance it is of the riches of God's pardoning mercy, and the power of his renewing grace. Deprived of his liberty, separated from his evil counsellors and companions, without any prospect but of ending his days in a wretched prison, Manasseh thought upon what had passed; he began to cry for mercy and deliverance. He confessed his sins, condemned himself, was humbled before God, loathing himself as a monster of impiety and wickedness. Yet he hoped to be pardoned through the abundant mercy of the Lord. Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah was God, able to deliver. He knew him as a God of salvation; he learned to fear, trust in, love, and obey him. From this time he bore a new character, and walked in newness of life. Who can tell what tortures of conscience, what pangs of grief, what fears of wrath, what agonizing remorse he endured, when he looked back on his many years of apostacy and rebellion against God; on his having led thousands into sin and perdition; and on his blood-guiltiness in the persecution of a number of God's children? And who can complain that the way of heaven is blocked up, when he sees such a sinner enter? Say the worst against thyself, here is one as bad who finds the way to repentance. Deny not to thyself that which God hath not denied to thee; it is not thy sin, but thy impenitence, that bars heaven against thee.

Verses 21-25 Amon's father did ill, but he did worse. Whatever warnings or convictions he had, he never humbled himself. He was soon cut off in his sins, and made a warning for all men not to abuse the example of God's patience and mercy to Manasseh, as an encouragement to continue in sin. May God help us to be honest to ourselves, and to think aright respecting our own character, before death fixes us in an unchangeable state.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 33

This chapter gives an account of the reign of Manasseh, of his idolatries and impieties, 2Ch 33:1-10, of his captivity, humiliation, repentance, and reformation, 2Ch 33:11-17 of his last end, death, and burial, 2Ch 33:18-20 and of the wicked reign of Amon his son, and of his death by his servants, 2Ch 33:21-25.