331 Manasseh was twelve e years old when he became king , and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem . 2 He did evil in the sight of the Lord according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord dispossessed before e the sons of Israel . 3 For he rebuilt e the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down ; he also erected altars for the Baals and made Asherim , and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 4 He built altars in the house of the Lord of which the Lord had said , "My name shall be in Jerusalem forever ." 5 For he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord . 6 He made his sons pass through the fire in the valley of Ben-hinnom e ; and he practiced witchcraft , used divination , practiced sorcery and dealt with mediums and spiritists . He did much evil in the sight of the Lord , provoking Him to anger. 7 Then he put the carved image of the idol which he had made in the house of God , of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son , " In this house and in Jerusalem , which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel , I will put My name forever ; 8 and I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land which I have appointed for your fathers , if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them according to all the law , the statutes and the ordinances given through Moses ." 9 Thus Manasseh misled Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before e the sons of Israel . 10 The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people , but they paid no attention .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 33:1-10
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 33:1-20
(Read 2 Chronicles 33:1-20)
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.