Amon, the son of Manasseh and the grandson of Hezekiah, was the fifteenth king of the Kingdom of Judah. His reign is recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in 2 Kings 21:19-26 and 2 Chronicles 33:21-25. Amon ascended to the throne at the age of 22 and reigned for a brief period of two years, from approximately 642 to 640 BC.

Background and Ascension

Amon was born into the royal lineage of Judah, a descendant of King David. His father, Manasseh, had a notably long reign of 55 years, during which he led Judah into idolatry and pagan practices, despite a late-life repentance. Amon's mother was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. Upon Manasseh's death, Amon inherited the throne, continuing the dynastic line.

Religious Practices and Idolatry

Amon's reign is characterized by a continuation of the idolatrous practices initiated by his father. The biblical account in 2 Kings 21:20-22 states, "And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done. He walked in all the ways of his father, and he served the idols that his father had served, and he worshiped them. He abandoned the LORD, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the LORD."

Amon's adherence to idolatry and his failure to seek the LORD's guidance marked a period of spiritual decline for Judah. Unlike his father, who eventually repented, Amon did not turn away from these practices, further entrenching the nation in sin and rebellion against God.

Assassination and Aftermath

Amon's reign was abruptly ended when he was assassinated by his own officials in his palace. The reasons for this conspiracy are not explicitly detailed in the biblical text, but it is clear that his rule was unpopular among certain factions within the kingdom. Following his assassination, the people of the land executed the conspirators and placed Amon's son, Josiah, on the throne.

2 Chronicles 33:24-25 records this transition: "Then the servants of Amon conspired against him and killed him in his palace. But the people of the land struck down all who had conspired against King Amon, and they made his son Josiah king in his place."

Legacy

Amon's reign, though brief, is often viewed as a continuation of the spiritual and moral decline initiated by his father. His failure to seek the LORD and his persistence in idolatry set the stage for the significant reforms that would later be enacted by his son, Josiah. Amon's life and reign serve as a cautionary tale of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of righteous leadership in accordance with divine commandments.