# Day 168

# Manasseh’s Repentance

2 Kings 21:1–20

The son of Hezekiah was twelve years old when he became king. His name was Manasseh. He did evil things. He rebuilt the idols’ altars and worshiped Baal, even putting idols in the temple. Manasseh burned his own sons as offerings and practiced witchcraft. The people followed Manasseh into evil. They became more disgusting than the tribes Israel had driven out of Canaan. God was pushed to great anger.

“Manasseh has been horrible,” God declared. “I’m going to bring much evil on Jerusalem. When people hear of it, their ears will tingle. I’ll turn it over and discard my people. They’ve been causing me anger since the day they left Egypt.” Manasseh ignored God’s words.

Manasseh was captured by Assyria’s army. He was carried in chains to Babylon. There he was tormented. So he turned back to God. The Lord heard his prayer and returned him to Jerusalem as king. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.

Safe in Jerusalem, Manasseh destroyed the idols. He began the true worship of God and commanded Judah to serve the Lord. Manasseh died after fifty-five years as king.

Questions: Why was God angry at Manasseh? Why did Manasseh turn back to God?