Last week we ended our study time looking at a great king of Judah, Hezekiah. Today we start with one of the worst kings of Judah, Manasseh, Hezekiah's son. Manasseh reigned from 697-642 B.C. His story is found in 2 Kings 21:1-18 and 2 Chronicles 33:1-20.

Manasseh reigned 55 years. He reigned longer than any other king and did more damage than any other king. He did evil in God's eyes. It is a disgusting and tragic story. He destroys everything good his father had done.

King Manasseh
⁃ Apostasy and Idolatry - 2 Chronicles 33:33
⁃ Sacrificed his children - 2 Chronicles 33:6
⁃ Innocent blood shed including the blood of prophets - 2 Kings 21:16. (Hebrews 11:37 - ancient Jewish tradition that says it was during Manasseh's reign that Isaiah was sawn in half by Manasseh)
⁃ Captivity in Babylon - Manasseh was taken prisoner by Assyria and taken to Babylon - 2 Chronicles 33:11
⁃ Repentance and return to Judah- while in prison Manasseh had a change of heart, humbling himself greatly before God and praying. The Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so God brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom, proving to Manasseh that He is the true God - 2 Chronicles 33:12-13

What we learn: God is a gracious God and hears the cries of those who humble themselves before Him. He responds to a repentant heart.

In the final years of his life, Manasseh worked to redo things but to no avail as his son, King Amon takes the throne. Amon reigned from 642-640 B.C. and his story is found in 2 Kings 21:19-26 and 2 Chronicles 33:21-25. Amon did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

King Amon
⁃ Return to idolatry - 2 Chronicles 33:22-23
⁃ Conspiracy and Assassination - 2 Chronicles 33:24-25 - Josiah, Amon's son was then made king.

King Josiah
Josiah is just a boy when he begins his 31 year reign and in Pastor's opinion, the greatest king of Judah. Josiah reigned from 640-609 B.C. His story is found in 2 Kings 22:1-23:30 and 2 Chronicles 34-35.

During his reign there were many prophets: Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Nahum, Habakkuk and Huldah. God is working to bring the nation back to Himself.

During King Josiah's reign, Judah experienced three of its happiest decades: peace, prosperity and revival.

King Josiah
⁃ Young King seeks the God of David - he followed in the ways of David - 2 Kings 22:1-2 and 2 Chronicles 34:3
⁃ Spiritual cleansing of Jerusalem - 2 Chronicles 34:4-5
⁃ Book of the Law of God written by Moses (possibly the original Torah) is discovered - 2 Chronicles 34:8, 2 Chronicles 34:14, 2 Chronicles 34:19, 2 Chronicles 34:22. In 2 Chronicles 34:27 we read of Huldah who tells the king that God says that judgment is coming, but because he (Josiah) had humbled himself before God, wept and torn his robes, that Josiah will not live to see the destruction. Josiah recognizes the Lord's graciousness and he sets forth to bring revival.
⁃ Revival happens 2 Kings 23:2-3 - God's people pledge themselves to the covenant of God.
⁃ Revival and reform go beyond Judah - 2 Kings 23:15, 17

Josiah was a bright, brilliant, incredible and godly leader, a man bold in his faith and one who trusted God. May we learn from his example.

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