2 Cronache 33:10 Commento

In this chapter we have the history of the reign, I. Of Manasseh, who reigned long. 1. His wretched apostasy from God, and revolt to idolatry and all wickedness (Ch2 33:1-10). 2. His happy return to God in his affliction; his repentance (Ch2 33:11-13), his reformation (Ch2 33:15-17), and prosperity (Ch2 33:14), with the conclusion of his reign (Ch2 33:18-20). II. Of Amon, who reigned very wickedly (Ch2 33:21-23), and soon ended his days unhappily (Ch2 33:24, Ch2 33:25).

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 33 This chapter gives an account of the reign of Manasseh, of his idolatries and impieties, Ch2 33:1, of his captivity, humiliation, repentance, and reformation, Ch2 33:11 of his last end, death, and burial, Ch2 33:18 and of the wicked reign of Amon his son, and of his death by his servants, Ch2 33:21.

Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria,.... Who was Esarhaddon, the son and successor of Sennacherib; this, according to the Jewish chronology (f), was in the twenty second year of Manasseh's reign: which took Manasseh among the thorns; in a thicket of briers and thorns, where, upon his defeat, he had hid himself; a fit emblem of the afflictions and troubles his sins brought him into: and bound him with fetters; hands and feet; with chains of brass, as the Targum, such as Zedekiah was bound with, Kg2 25:7, not chains of gold, with which Mark Antony bound a king of Armenia, for the sake of honour (g): and carried him to Babylon; for now the king of Assyria was become master of that city, and added it to his monarchy, and made it the seat of his residence; at least some times that and sometimes Nineveh, Merodachbaladan being dead, or conquered; though, according to Suidas (h), it was he that took Manasseh; and by an Arabic writer (i), he is said to be carried to Nineveh. (f) Seder Olam Rabba, c. 24. p. 67. (g) Vell. Patercul. Hist. Roman. l. 2. (h) In voce (i) Abulpharag. Hist. Dynast. Dyn. 3. p. 67. So Suidas, ib.

Manasseh reigns fifty-five years, and restores idolatry, pollutes the temple, and practises all kinds of abominations, Ch2 33:1-9. He and the people are warned in vain, Ch2 33:10. He is delivered into the hands of the Assyrians, bound with fetters, and carried to Babylon, Ch2 33:11. He humbles himself, and is restored, Ch2 33:12, Ch2 33:13. He destroys idolatry, and restores the worship of God, Ch2 33:14-16. The people keep the high places, but sacrifice to the Lord on them, Ch2 33:17. His acts, prayer, and death, Ch2 33:18-20. His son Amon succeeds him; and after a wicked idolatrous reign of two years, is slain by his own servants in his own house, Ch2 33:21-24. The people rise up, and slay his murderers, and make Josiah his son king in his stead, Ch2 33:25.

MANASSEH'S WICKED REIGN. (Ch2 33:1-10) Manasseh . . . did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord--(See on 2Ki. 21:1-16).

At Ch2 33:10, the account in the Chronicle diverges from that in 2 Kings. In Kg2 21:10-16 it is related how the Lord caused it to be proclaimed by the prophets, that in punishment of Manasseh's sins Jerusalem would be destroyed, and the people given into the power of their enemies, and how Manasseh filled Jerusalem with the shedding of innocent blood. Instead of this, in Ch2 33:10 of the Chronicle it is only briefly said that the Lord spake to Manasseh and to his people, but they would not hearken; and then in Ch2 33:11-17 it is narrated that Manasseh was led away to Babylon by the king of Assyria's captains of the host; in his trouble turned to the Lord his God, and prayed; was thereupon brought by God back to Jerusalem; after his return, fortified Jerusalem with a new wall; set commanders over all the fenced cities of Judah; abolished the idolatry in the temple and the city, and restored the worship of Jahve.