Amon, the son of Manasseh and the grandson of Hezekiah, was the fifteenth king 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 twenty-two and reigned for a brief period of two years in Jerusalem.

Background and Ascension

Amon's father, Manasseh, was known for his long reign and for leading Judah into idolatry, although he repented later in life. Amon, however, did not follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Hezekiah, who was a reformer and a devout follower of Yahweh. Instead, Amon continued the idolatrous practices initiated by his father before his repentance. The Berean Standard Bible states, "He did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done" (2 Kings 21:20).

Religious Practices and Idolatry

Amon's reign was marked by a continuation of the pagan practices that had been prevalent during the early years of Manasseh's rule. He worshiped the idols that his father had served and did not humble himself before the LORD. The chronicler notes, "He did not humble himself before the LORD as his father Manasseh had done; instead, Amon increased his guilt" (2 Chronicles 33:23). This persistence in idolatry and rejection of the covenant with Yahweh contributed to the moral and spiritual decline of Judah during his reign.

Assassination and Aftermath

Amon's reign came to an abrupt end when he was assassinated by his own officials in his palace. The reasons for this conspiracy are not detailed in the biblical text, but it reflects the instability and dissatisfaction within the kingdom. Following his assassination, the people of the land executed those who had conspired against him and placed his son Josiah on the throne. The account in 2 Kings 21:24 states, "Then the people of the land killed all who had conspired against King Amon, and they made his son Josiah king in his place."

Legacy

Amon's short reign is often overshadowed by the subsequent reign of his son Josiah, who became one of Judah's most righteous kings, known for his religious reforms and return to the worship of Yahweh. Amon's failure to lead Judah in the ways of the LORD serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of idolatry and disobedience to God's commandments. His reign is a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to the covenant and the impact of leadership on the spiritual direction of a nation.