2 Kings Chapter 21

At a Glance

  • Chapter 21 centers on Manasseh, Hezekiah’s successor, whose twenty-two-year or fifty-five-year reign (depending on manuscript tradition) is marked by astonishing wickedness.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • This chapter documents the downward spiral in the southern kingdom in the late monarchic period, in stark contrast to Hezekiah’s earlier reforms.
  • - The severity of covenant violations and idolatry.
  • - Corporate responsibility and the impact of leadership on a nation.

2 KINGS CHAPTER 21

Chapter Overview

Chapter 21 centers on Manasseh, Hezekiah’s successor, whose twenty-two-year or fifty-five-year reign (depending on manuscript tradition) is marked by astonishing wickedness. The narrative catalogues a litany of abominations: high places rebuilt, altars to foreign gods reestablished, the house of the LORD polluted with idols, child sacrifice, enchantments, and occult practices. Manasseh’s leadership intensifies Judah’s apostasy, calling down divine anger as described through a prophetic lament that he outdid the nations that preceded them in sin. The Lord announces judgment not only as a punitive act but as the consequence of persistent covenant violation. The text emphasizes that the consequences are corporate—Judah’s fate is tethered to the king’s fidelity. The king’s prophetic critique by the LORD’s messengers culminates in a promise of exile and suffering that would be severe and shocking. The chapter ends with the near-term depiction of Judah’s spiritual collapse, reinforcing the book’s recurring theme that leadership shapes national destiny. It also sets up a later reform by Josiah as a counterpoint, highlighting the possibility of repentance even after deep corruption.

Historical & Literary Context

This chapter documents the downward spiral in the southern kingdom in the late monarchic period, in stark contrast to Hezekiah’s earlier reforms. The Deuteronomistic lens is clear: leaders who lead the people into idolatry invite divine judgment. The genre blends royal history with prophetic denunciation, illustrating the consequences of covenant violation. Manasseh’s reign is often seen as the nadir of Judah’s kings, serving as a cautionary tale within the broader narrative arc that culminates in exile.

Key Themes

- The severity of covenant violations and idolatry

- Corporate responsibility and the impact of leadership on a nation

- Divine judgment and mercy in tension

- The possibility of reform later in the story (foreshadowing Josiah)

- The enduring sovereignty of God despite human failure

Modern Application

Readers are reminded that leadership matters and that spiritual decline can be contagious. The dangers of idolatry—whether literal statues or modern “idols” like power, technology, or convenience—are real and costly. Yet the text also keeps a glimmer of hope: reform can come later, and covenant faithfulness can be recovered. Individuals can reflect on how communities nurture or suppress spiritual life, and consider steps to safeguard faithfulness—including accountability, reform, and renewed devotion to the LORD. The chapter also invites examination of repentant faith in failure’s wake, acknowledging that even grave sins require humility and corrective action.

- 2 Kings 23 (Josiah’s reform)

- Deuteronomy 28 (curses for covenant unfaithfulness)

- Jeremiah 26-27 (prophetic denunciation of idolatry)

- 1 Samuel 15 (role of leadership and consequences of disobedience)

Recommended Personas

- Moses (principles of covenant faithfulness and judgment)

- David (recognition of sin and the call to repentance)

- Josiah (contrast in reform and renewal)

- Jesus (reversal and restoration themes)

Chapter Text

1

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.

2

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.

3

For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

4

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

5

And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

6

And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

7

And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

8

Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.

9

But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.

10

And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,

11

Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:

12

Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.

13

And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.

14

And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;

15

Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day.

16

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.

17

Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

18

And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

19

Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.

20

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did.

21

And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:

22

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

23

And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.

24

And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

25

Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

26

And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

Explore 2 Kings Chapter 21 with Biblical figures who can provide unique perspectives grounded in Scripture.

Ask Apostle PaulAsk MosesAsk King DavidAsk Jesus Christ
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