but he did not humble himself before the LORD as his father Manasseh had done; instead, Amon increased his guilt. But he did not humble himselfThe phrase "humble himself" is derived from the Hebrew word "kana," which means to bring oneself low or to submit. In the biblical context, humility before God is a recognition of His sovereignty and a submission to His will. Amon's failure to humble himself indicates a refusal to acknowledge God's authority, contrasting with the biblical call for leaders and individuals to walk humbly with God ( Micah 6:8). This lack of humility is a significant spiritual failing, as humility is often the first step toward repentance and restoration. before the LORD
The term "LORD" in this context is the translation of the Hebrew "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God revealed to Moses. It signifies the covenantal relationship between God and His people. Amon's failure to humble himself "before the LORD" suggests a breach in this relationship, highlighting the importance of personal accountability and reverence in one's relationship with God. The phrase underscores the gravity of Amon's actions, as they are not just against societal norms but against the divine covenant itself. as his father Manasseh had humbled himself
Manasseh, despite his initial idolatry and wickedness, eventually repented and humbled himself before God, as recorded earlier in 2 Chronicles 33:12-13. This comparison serves as a powerful reminder of God's mercy and willingness to forgive those who turn back to Him, regardless of past sins. Amon's failure to follow his father's example illustrates a missed opportunity for redemption and highlights the importance of learning from the spiritual journeys of those who have gone before us. instead, Amon increased his guilt
The word "increased" suggests a deliberate and conscious choice to continue in sin, rather than seeking repentance. The Hebrew root "rabah" implies multiplication or growth, indicating that Amon's actions were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of behavior. "Guilt" here refers to the moral and spiritual culpability that results from sin. Amon's increasing guilt contrasts sharply with the potential for forgiveness and restoration, emphasizing the consequences of persistent disobedience and the importance of turning away from sin. Persons / Places / Events 1. AmonThe son of Manasseh and king of Judah who reigned for two years. He is noted for his failure to humble himself before God and for increasing his guilt through idolatry and sin. 2. ManassehAmon's father, who was also a king of Judah. Initially, he led Judah into idolatry but later repented and humbled himself before God, seeking forgiveness and restoration. 3. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, where Amon and Manasseh reigned. It was a place of both spiritual decline and revival, depending on the king's faithfulness to God. 4. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who desires humility and repentance from His people. 5. IdolatryThe worship of idols, which was prevalent during Amon's reign and contributed to his increased guilt. Teaching Points The Importance of HumilityAmon's failure to humble himself before God serves as a warning. Humility is essential for a right relationship with God and for receiving His grace. The Consequences of PrideAmon's pride led to increased guilt and ultimately his downfall. Pride can blind us to our need for repentance and lead us away from God. Learning from the PastAmon had the example of his father Manasseh's repentance but chose not to follow it. We should learn from the experiences of others, especially those who have turned back to God. The Danger of IdolatryAmon's reign was marked by idolatry, which increased his guilt. We must guard against modern forms of idolatry that can take our focus away from God. The Call to RepentanceDespite Amon's failure, the opportunity for repentance is always available. God desires that we turn back to Him with humble hearts. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Amon's failure to humble himself before God contrast with his father Manasseh's later actions? What can we learn from this contrast? 2. In what ways can pride manifest in our lives today, and how can we guard against it? 3. How does the principle found in James 4:6 apply to Amon's life and our own spiritual journey? 4. What are some modern forms of idolatry that might lead us away from God, and how can we address them? 5. Reflecting on Proverbs 16:18, how can we ensure that we remain humble and open to God's guidance in our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 21:19-26Provides a parallel account of Amon's reign, emphasizing his evil deeds and the consequences of his actions. 2 Chronicles 33:12-13Describes Manasseh's repentance and humility before God, contrasting with Amon's lack of humility. James 4:6Highlights the principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, which is relevant to Amon's failure to humble himself. Proverbs 16:18Warns that pride goes before destruction, a truth evident in Amon's life and reign. People Amon, Ben, David, Hezekiah, Israelites, Josiah, Manasseh, SolomonPlaces Assyria, Babylon, Fish Gate, Gihon, Jerusalem, Ophel, Valley of HinnomTopics Amon, Didn't, Guilt, Guilty, Humble, Humbled, Humbling, Increased, Incurred, Low, Manasseh, Manas'seh, Moreover, Multiplied, Sinning, Trespass, TrespassedDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 33:23 6195 impenitence, results 2 Chronicles 33:1-25 5366 king Library Manasseh's Sin and Repentance
'So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel. 10. And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. 11. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12. And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureManasseh
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem."--2 CHRON. xxxiii. l. Fifty and five years--he wore the crown a longer time than any other of the house of David. Of all the kings that reigned in Jerusalem, this man's reign filled the largest space; yet he is the one king of Judah about whom we are told least. In the modern city of Venice there is a hall which is adorned with the portraits of all the doges …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known How Shall one Make Use of Christ as the Life, when Wrestling with an Angry God Because of Sin?
That we may give some satisfaction to this question, we shall, 1. Shew what are the ingredients in this case, or what useth to concur in this distemper. 2. Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus with his people. 3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case. 4. Shew the believer's duty for a recovery; and, 5. Add a word or two of caution. As to the first, There may be those parts of, or ingredients in this distemper: 1. God presenting their sins unto their view, so as …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
DO not mistake me, I do not say that of their own nature the worst things are good, for they are a fruit of the curse; but though they are naturally evil, yet the wise overruling hand of God disposing and sanctifying them, they are morally good. As the elements, though of contrary qualities, yet God has so tempered them, that they all work in a harmonious manner for the good of the universe. Or as in a watch, the wheels seem to move contrary one to another, but all carry on the motions of the watch: …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Beginning at Jerusalem
The whole verse runs thus: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." The words were spoken by Christ, after he rose from the dead, and they are here rehearsed after an historical manner, but do contain in them a formal commission, with a special clause therein. The commission is, as you see, for the preaching of the gospel, and is very distinctly inserted in the holy record by Matthew and Mark. "Go teach all nations," …
John Bunyan—Jerusalem Sinner Saved The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
OR, GOOD NEWS FOR THE VILEST OF MEN; BEING A HELP FOR DESPAIRING SOULS, SHOWING THAT JESUS CHRIST WOULD HAVE MERCY IN THE FIRST PLACE OFFERED TO THE BIGGEST SINNERS. THE THIRD EDITION, IN WHICH IS ADDED, AN ANSWER TO THOSE GRAND OBJECTIONS THAT LIE IN THE WAY OF THE THEM THAT WOULD BELIEVE: FOR THE COMFORT OF THEM THAT FEAR THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. BY JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. London: Printed for Elizabeth Smith, at the Hand and Bible, on London Bridge, 1691. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Chronicles 33:23 NIV2 Chronicles 33:23 NLT2 Chronicles 33:23 ESV2 Chronicles 33:23 NASB2 Chronicles 33:23 KJV
2 Chronicles 33:23 Commentaries
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