Amon persisted in the sins of Manasseh, showing that every generation must make its own choice to either obey God or accept the destructive patterns of past rebellion.
In 2 Kings 21:20, we read, He did evil in the sight of the LORD, as Manasseh his father had done. (v.20) Amon, the subject of this verse, had just begun his reign following the death of his father Manasseh (642 BC). Manasseh, who ruled Judah from 697-642 BC, reversed many of the godly reforms of his predecessor and indulged in idolatry, witchcraft, and even child sacrifice, greatly angering the LORD (2 Kings 21:2-6). Amon continued in these wicked ways, failing to seek the Lord’s mercy or counsel.
Amon’s actions reflected an unrepentant heart, echoing Manasseh’s rebellion against God’s command for true worship at the temple in Jerusalem. The monarchy in Judah was meant to defend justice and proper worship, but both Manasseh and Amon led the nation astray. By using the same language—as Manasseh his father had done—Scripture emphasizes that Amon repeated the same idolatry and disregard for obedience to God’s covenant, bringing further spiritual darkness upon Judah. His short reign, lasting only about two years (642-640 BC), ended in assassination by his own servants (2 Kings 21:23), showing the tragic consequences of leading God’s people into disobedience.
This verse therefore stands as a warning that sin can be perpetuated through generations when leaders fail to repent and bring about spiritual renewal. Even though Manasseh eventually humbled himself near the end of his life, Amon returned the nation to the pre-penitent wickedness that had characterized his father’s earlier reign, demonstrating the destructive power of choosing evil over the ways of the LORD (2 Chronicles 33:21-25).
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2 Kings 21:20 meaning
In 2 Kings 21:20, we read, He did evil in the sight of the LORD, as Manasseh his father had done. (v.20) Amon, the subject of this verse, had just begun his reign following the death of his father Manasseh (642 BC). Manasseh, who ruled Judah from 697-642 BC, reversed many of the godly reforms of his predecessor and indulged in idolatry, witchcraft, and even child sacrifice, greatly angering the LORD (2 Kings 21:2-6). Amon continued in these wicked ways, failing to seek the Lord’s mercy or counsel.
Amon’s actions reflected an unrepentant heart, echoing Manasseh’s rebellion against God’s command for true worship at the temple in Jerusalem. The monarchy in Judah was meant to defend justice and proper worship, but both Manasseh and Amon led the nation astray. By using the same language—as Manasseh his father had done—Scripture emphasizes that Amon repeated the same idolatry and disregard for obedience to God’s covenant, bringing further spiritual darkness upon Judah. His short reign, lasting only about two years (642-640 BC), ended in assassination by his own servants (2 Kings 21:23), showing the tragic consequences of leading God’s people into disobedience.
This verse therefore stands as a warning that sin can be perpetuated through generations when leaders fail to repent and bring about spiritual renewal. Even though Manasseh eventually humbled himself near the end of his life, Amon returned the nation to the pre-penitent wickedness that had characterized his father’s earlier reign, demonstrating the destructive power of choosing evil over the ways of the LORD (2 Chronicles 33:21-25).