Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 33

Verses 1-25

Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, seems to have set himself to the most willful and persistent restoration of every form of abomination. All the things specifically forbidden were set up in the places sacred to the name of Jehovah; and with appalling thoroughness he undid all that his father had done. The strong hand of God was stretched out against him, and with the Assyrian as the scourge the king was carried away in irons, broken and defeated. In his distress the stubborn will seems to have been bent, and he cried to God for help. Manasseh's repentance was evidently the chief subject in the mind of the chronicler, and while his sins are painted faithfully and revealed in all their hideousness, all becomes but background which flings into relief Manasseh's genuine penitence and the ready and gracious response of God.

There is a solemn warning in the history of Amon, who, on coming to the throne, followed the earlier example of his father, and was so utterly corrupt that his own servants conspired against him and slew him. While repentance of personal sin brings ready forgiveness, the influence of the sin is terribly likely to abide.