Topical Encyclopedia Amon, the son of Manasseh and the fifteenth king of Judah, is a biblical figure whose reign is marked by impenitence and a continuation of the idolatrous practices initiated by his father. His account is primarily found in the Old Testament books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles.Background and Reign Amon ascended to the throne at the age of twenty-two and reigned for two years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 21:19). His mother was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. Amon's reign is characterized by a steadfast refusal to repent from the sins of his father, Manasseh, who had led Judah into deep idolatry and apostasy. Despite Manasseh's eventual repentance and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh, Amon did not follow in these later footsteps. Idolatry and Wickedness 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 impenitence is evident in his deliberate choice to reject the reforms of his father and to embrace the idolatrous practices that had previously provoked the LORD's anger. Consequences and Assassination Amon's refusal to repent and his persistence in evil led to his downfall. His servants conspired against him and assassinated him in his own house (2 Kings 21:23). This act of treachery, however, did not go unpunished, as the people of the land executed all who had conspired against King Amon and made his son Josiah king in his place (2 Kings 21:24). Legacy and Reflection Amon's brief and unrepentant reign serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of impenitence and the consequences of turning away from God. His account is a stark reminder of the importance of repentance and the need to seek the LORD's guidance and forgiveness. Despite his father's eventual return to the LORD, Amon's refusal to change his ways led to his untimely death and the continuation of turmoil in Judah. In the broader biblical narrative, Amon's impenitence contrasts sharply with the subsequent reign of his son Josiah, who became one of Judah's most righteous kings, leading a significant religious reform and returning the nation to the worship of Yahweh. Amon's life and reign underscore the biblical theme that each generation must choose to follow God, regardless of the actions of their predecessors. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 33:23And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more. Nave's Topical Index Library The Greater Prophets. Resources What is the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a millstone in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What was the leviathan? | GotQuestions.org Impenetrable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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