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 twenty-two 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 David, inheriting the throne from his father, Manasseh, who had a notably long reign of fifty-five years. Manasseh's reign was marked by significant idolatry and apostasy, although he repented later in life. Amon, however, did not follow in his father's footsteps of repentance but rather continued in his earlier sinful practices.

Religious Practices and Idolatry

Amon's reign is characterized by a continuation of the idolatrous practices that his father had initially established. 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 worshiped them. He abandoned the LORD, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the LORD."

Amon's actions included the worship of foreign gods and the neglect of the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. This idolatry was a direct violation of the covenantal laws given to the Israelites, which demanded exclusive worship of Yahweh and prohibited the worship of other deities.

Political and Social Climate

The political and social climate during Amon's reign was unstable. The continuation of idolatry and the abandonment of the covenant with God likely contributed to social unrest and dissatisfaction among the people of Judah. The spiritual decline under Amon's leadership set the stage for further turmoil in the kingdom.

Assassination and Aftermath

Amon's reign came to an abrupt end when he was assassinated by his own officials in his palace. The Bible records in 2 Kings 21:23-24: "Then the servants of Amon conspired against him and killed the king 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."

The assassination of Amon reflects the deep-seated discontent and the volatile nature of his rule. However, the people of the land quickly acted to avenge his death and placed his son, Josiah, on the throne. Josiah would later become one of Judah's most righteous kings, known for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh.

Legacy

Amon's reign is often viewed as a continuation of the spiritual decline initiated by his father, Manasseh, before his repentance. His brief and tumultuous rule serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of abandoning the covenant with God and embracing idolatry. Despite his short reign, Amon's impact on Judah was significant, as it set the stage for the reforms and revival that would occur under his son, Josiah.