Introduction:
Manasseh, son of Hezekiah and Hephzibah, was the fourteenth king of the Kingdom of Judah. His reign is recorded in 2 Kings 21:1-18 and 2 Chronicles 33:1-20. Manasseh's rule is noted for its length, idolatry, and eventual repentance. He ascended to the throne at the age of twelve and reigned for fifty-five years, the longest of any king in Judah.

Reign and Idolatry:
Manasseh's reign marked a significant departure from the religious reforms of his father, Hezekiah. He is infamously known for leading Judah into deep idolatry and apostasy. According to 2 Kings 21:2-6 , "He did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites." Manasseh rebuilt the high places his father had destroyed, erected altars for Baal, made an Asherah pole, and worshiped all the host of heaven. He even placed altars in the house of the LORD, defiling the temple with idolatrous practices.

Manasseh's idolatry extended to the practice of child sacrifice, as he "sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists" (2 Kings 21:6). His actions provoked the LORD to anger, and he led Judah into greater sin than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.

Prophetic Warnings and Consequences:
The LORD sent prophets to warn Manasseh and the people of Judah about their wickedness. However, they did not listen. As a result, God declared through His prophets that He would bring disaster upon Jerusalem and Judah. 2 Kings 21:12-13 states, "Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Behold, I am bringing such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of all who hear of it will tingle. I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab, and I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish—wiping it and turning it upside down.'"

Captivity and Repentance:
Manasseh's reign took a dramatic turn when the Assyrian army captured him and took him to Babylon in chains. This period of captivity became a turning point for Manasseh. In his distress, he sought the LORD and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 records, "And when he was in distress, he sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to Him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea, and He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God."

Reforms and Legacy:
Upon his return to Jerusalem, Manasseh demonstrated genuine repentance by initiating religious reforms. He removed foreign gods and idols from the temple, restored the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it. He commanded Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel (2 Chronicles 33:15-16). Despite these efforts, the people continued to sacrifice at the high places, though only to the LORD their God.

Manasseh's legacy is complex. While his early reign was marked by egregious idolatry and sin, his later years showed a sincere return to the LORD. His account serves as a powerful testament to God's mercy and the possibility of redemption, even for those who have strayed far from His ways. Manasseh's son, Amon, succeeded him but did not follow his father's late example of repentance, continuing in the sins Manasseh had initially embraced.