Amon, the son of Manasseh, was the fifteenth king of Judah, reigning for a brief period from approximately 642 to 640 BC. 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 twenty-two and ruled for two years in Jerusalem.

Reign of Amon

Amon's reign is characterized by a continuation of the idolatrous practices initiated by his father, Manasseh. Despite Manasseh's late repentance and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh, Amon did not follow in these steps. Instead, he reverted to the pagan practices that had previously provoked the LORD's anger. The Berean Standard Bible states, "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 worshiped them" (2 Kings 21:20-21).

Amon's actions included the reestablishment of altars to Baal and Asherah, as well as the worship of celestial bodies, which were prevalent during Manasseh's earlier reign. This idolatry was a direct violation of the covenantal laws given to Israel, and it led to further moral and spiritual decline in the kingdom of Judah.

Assassination of Amon

Amon's reign was abruptly ended by a conspiracy among his own officials. The Bible records that his servants conspired against him and assassinated him in his own house. "Then the servants of Amon conspired against him and killed the king in his palace" (2 Kings 21:23). This act of treachery was likely motivated by political unrest and dissatisfaction with Amon's leadership and religious policies.

Following Amon's assassination, the people of the land executed those who had conspired against the king, demonstrating a desire to restore order and justice. "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" (2 Kings 21:24). This swift retribution against the conspirators highlights the instability and factionalism present in Judah during this period.

Legacy and Succession

Amon's short and tumultuous reign left a legacy of continued idolatry and political instability. However, his assassination paved the way for his son Josiah to ascend the throne. Josiah, who became king at the tender age of eight, would later be known for his significant religious reforms and efforts to return Judah to the worship of Yahweh.

Amon's reign serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of forsaking the covenant with God and the dangers of political intrigue. His failure to heed the lessons of his father's repentance and his persistence in idolatry ultimately led to his downfall and set the stage for a new chapter in Judah's history under Josiah's righteous leadership.