2 Chronicles Profiles

MANASSEH

2 Kings 21:1-18

Manasseh

Even a brief outline of King Manasseh’s evil sickens us, and we wonder how God could ever forgive him. Not only did he intentionally offend God by desecrating Solomon’s Temple with idols, but he also worshiped pagan gods and even sacrificed his children to them! Child sacrifice is a vile act of pagan idolatry, an act against both God and people. Such blatant sins require severe correction.

God showed justice to Manasseh in warning and punishing him. He showed mercy in responding to Manasseh’s heartfelt repentance by forgiving and restoring him. Given the nature of Manasseh’s rebellion, we are not surprised by God’s punishment—defeat and exile at the hands of the Assyrians. But Manasseh’s repentance and God’s forgiveness are unexpected. Manasseh’s life was changed. He was given a new start.

How far has God gone to get your attention? Have you ever, like Manasseh, come to your senses and cried out to God for help? Only your repentance and a prayer for a new attitude stand between you and God’s complete forgiveness.

Strengths and accomplishments
  • Despite the bitter consequences of his sins, he learned from them
  • Humbly repented of his sins before God

Weaknesses and mistakes
  • Challenged God’s authority and was defeated
  • Reversed many of the positive effects of his father Hezekiah’s rule
  • Sacrificed his children to idols

Lessons from his life
  • God will go a long way to get someone’s attention
  • Forgiveness is limited, not by the amount of sin, but by our willingness to repent

Vital statistics
  • Where: Jerusalem
  • Occupation: King of Judah
  • Relatives: Father: Hezekiah. Mother: Hephzibah. Son: Amon.

Key verses

“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” (2 Chronicles 33:12–13).

Manasseh’s story is told in 2 Kings 21:1–18 and 2 Chronicles 32:33—33:20. He is also mentioned in Jeremiah 15:4.