Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah and reigned over Judah for 55 years, the longest of any king in Judah’s history. His reign is described in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33. Though he began in extreme wickedness, his story ends with a remarkable example of repentance and God’s mercy.
Initially, Manasseh led Judah into deep idolatry and sin. He rebuilt the high places his father had torn down, worshiped the host of heaven, built altars to pagan gods in the house of the Lord, and even caused his son to pass through the fire, practicing child sacrifice. 2 Kings 21:9 describes the result:
“But they paid no attention, and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel.”
Because of his sins, God declared judgment upon Judah. However, 2 Chronicles 33 provides an account not found in 2 Kings. It tells of how the Lord allowed the Assyrians to capture Manasseh, who was taken to Babylon in chains. In this low state, Manasseh humbled himself before God. 2 Chronicles 33:12–13 says:
“Now when he was in affliction, he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly… and God received his entreaty.”
God restored him to Jerusalem, and Manasseh then removed the foreign gods and commanded Judah to serve the Lord. Though the consequences of his earlier sins remained, his personal repentance was genuine.
Manasseh’s life stands as one of the clearest biblical examples of how no one is beyond God’s mercy. It also warns of the deep damage that rebellion can cause, both personally and nationally. His story shows that God will forgive even the worst sins when there is true humility and repentance.
