Manasseh: The Most Evil King of All
Considering Ahab in the north and some of the wicked kings in the south, such as Jehoram (the king who never was faithful) and Ahaz (the "never learn a lesson" king), how can Manasseh possibly be considered the worst and most evil of all the kings of Judah? One verse proves the allegation. When Judah was taken captive by Babylon, a reason is provided: "Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did" (2 King 24:3; cf. 2 Kings 23:26). What did he do that was so bad? This summary statement alone is chilling: "But he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel" (2 Chron. 33:2). The very reason Israel possessed the land was that the iniquities of the Canaanites had been so great, but Manasseh was equal to them.
His father Hezekiah had torn down the high places, but Manasseh rebuilt them and "raised up altars for the Baals" (v. 3). He further "built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord" (v. 5). He also "caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the son of Hinnom," which refers to human sacrifice (v. 6). But he was not finished by a long shot, although these actions were enough to anger God. Ignoring the inspired Word of God, Manasseh "practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists" (v. 6). He even placed a carved image in the house of God, thus profaning the place where God had chosen to put His name forever (v. 7).
Manasseh exerted a tremendous influence upon the nation of Judah; he seduced them "to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel" (v. 9). One further description of this evil king ought to be considered: "Moreover Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another…" (2 Kings 21:16). Of course, "the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen" (2 Chron. 33:10).
Why was Manasseh so evil when his father had been one of the most righteous kings in a long while? Why didn't he follow his example? How could he have failed to see how blessed by God his father was? Nevertheless, he committed himself to the pathway of evil. Yet, amazingly, he repented! He did so after being captured and taken elsewhere "with hooks" and "bronze fetters" (2 Chron. 33:11). He humbled himself greatly and implored God to bring him back to Jerusalem (vv. 12-13). He tried to undo all the damage of a lifetime. He took away the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord, and all the altars" (v. 15). He repaired the Lord's altar and commanded Judah "to serve the Lord God of Israel" (v. 16). And he did have some effect on the nation, but as soon as he died, his son Amon returned to the evil practices he had instituted before his repentance. Manasseh's repentance could not, alas, undo his legacy.