2 Chronicles 33:1

Died, as they did: and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David; in the more honourable and principal of them; there are still to be seen, on the north of Jerusalem, some grottos, called the sepulchres of the kings, though it is certain none of the kings of Israel or Judah were buried there; unless it may be thought, as Mr. Maundrell {e} conjectures, that Hezekiah was here inferred, and that these are the sepulchres of the sons of David here mentioned; however, he observes, whoever was buried here, this is certain, that the place itself discovers so great an expense both of labour and treasure, that we may well suppose it to be the work of kings: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death; by attending his funeral in great numbers, by burning spices for him, and by mourning for him many days: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead; of whom a further account is given in the next chapter. {e} Journey from Aleppo, &c. p. 76.   John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. 2 Chronicles 33:1 INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 33 This chapter gives an account of the reign of Manasseh, of his idolatries and impieties, 2 Chronicles 33:1, of his captivity, humiliation, repentance, and reformation, 2 Chronicles 33:11 of his last end, death, and burial, 2 Chronicles 33:18 and of the wicked reign of Amon his son, and of his death by his servants, 2 Chronicles 33:21. Ver. 1. Manasseh was twelve years old,....

From hence to the end of 2 Chronicles 33:9 the same things are recorded, almost word for word, as in 2 Kings 21:1, see the notes there. See Gill on "2 Kings 21:1". 2 Chronicles 33:2 Ver. 2. See Gill on "2 Kings 21:2" 2 Chronicles 33:3 Ver. 3. See Gill on "2 Kings 21:3" 2 Chronicles 33:4 Ver. 4. See Gill on "2 Kings 21:4" 2 Chronicles 33:5 Ver. 5. See Gill on "2 Kings 21:5" 2 Chronicles 33:6 Ver. 6. See Gill on "2 Kings 21:6" 2 Chronicles 33:7 Ver. 7. See Gill on "2 Kings 21:7" 2 Chronicles 33:8 Ver. 8. See Gill on "2 Kings 21:8" 2 Chronicles 33:9 Ver. 9. See Gill on "2 Kings 21:9" 2 Chronicles 33:10 Ver. 10. And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people,.... By his servants the prophets, see 2 Kings 21:10, where what was said to them is recorded: but they would not hearken; to what was said, to reproofs, admonitions, and exhortations to repent and reform. 2 Chronicles 33:11 Ver. 11. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria,....

33:1-20 We have seen Manasseh's wickedness; here we have his repentance, and a memorable instance it is of the riches of God's pardoning mercy, and the power of his renewing grace. Deprived of his liberty, separated from his evil counsellors and companions, without any prospect but of ending his days in a wretched prison, Manasseh thought upon what had passed; he began to cry for mercy and deliverance. He confessed his sins, condemned himself, was humbled before God, loathing himself as a monster of impiety and wickedness. Yet he hoped to be pardoned through the abundant mercy of the Lord. Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah was God, able to deliver. He knew him as a God of salvation; he learned to fear, trust in, love, and obey him. From this time he bore a new character, and walked in newness of life. Who can tell what tortures of conscience, what pangs of grief, what fears of wrath, what agonizing remorse he endured, when he looked back on his many years of apostacy and rebellion against God; on his having led thousands into sin and perdition; and on his blood-guiltiness in the persecution of a number of God's children? And who can complain that the way of heaven is blocked up, when he sees such a sinner enter? Say the worst against thyself, here is one as bad who finds the way to repentance. Deny not to thyself that which God hath not denied to thee; it is not thy sin, but thy impenitence, that bars heaven against thee.

CHAPTER 33 2Ch 33:1-10. Manasseh's Wicked Reign. 1, 2. Manasseh … did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord—(See on [471]2Ki 21:1-16).Manasseh’s wicked reign, 2 Chronicles 33:1-10. His captivity, 2 Chronicles 33:11. His prayer and reformation, 2 Chronicles 33:12-17. His acts, 2 Chronicles 33:18,19, and death, 2 Chronicles 33:20. Amon’s wicked reign; is slain by his servants, 2 Chronicles 33:21-24. They being slain, Josiah succeedeth him, 2 Chronicles 33:25. This and the following verses, to ver 11, are taken out of 2 Kings 21:1 &c.

The reign of Manasseh; cf. 2 Kings 21:1-18 . - The characteristics of this king's reign, and of the idolatry which he again introduced, and increased in a measure surpassing all his predecessors ( 2 Chronicles 33:1-9 ), agrees almost verbally with 2 Kings 21:1-9 . Here and there an expression is rhetorically generalized and intensified, e.g., by the plurals לבּעלים and אשׁרות ( 2 Chronicles 33:3 ) instead of the sing. לבּעל and אשׁרה (Kings), and בּנין ( 2 Chronicles 33:6 ) instead of בּנו (see on 2 Chronicles 28:3 ); by the addition of וכשּׁף to ונחשׁ עונן, and of the name the Vale of Hinnom, 2 Chronicles 33:6 (see on Joshua 15:18 , גּי for גּיא); by heaping up words for the law and its commandments ( 2 Chronicles 33:8 ); and other small deviations, of which הסּמל פּסל ( 2 Chronicles 33:7 ) instead of האשׁרה פּסל (Kings) is the most important. The word סמל, sculpture or statue, is derived from Deuteronomy 4:16 , but has perhaps been taken by the author of the Chronicle from Ezekiel 8:3 , where סמל probably denotes the statue of Asherah. The form עילום for עולם ( 2 Chronicles 33:7 ) is not elsewhere met with.

The Word of the Lord permitted him to show them these; neither did he suffer for it; that he might try him, and see what was in his heart." Thus God speaks after the manner of men: he either brings, or permits them to be brought, into such circumstances as shall cause them to show their prevailing propensities; and then warns them against the evils to which they are inclined, after having shown them that they are capable of those evils. To know ourselves, and our own character, is of the utmost importance to our religious growth and perfection. He who does not know where his weakness lies, is not likely to know where his strength lies. Many, by not being fully acquainted with their own character, have been unwatchful and unguarded, and so become an easy prey to their enemies. Know thyself is a lesson which no man can learn but from the Spirit of God. [ 2 Chronicles 33 ]2 CHRONICLES 2CHRONICLES 33: 1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned fiftyfive years in Jerusalem. Manasseh reigns fifty-five years, and restores idolatry, pollutes the temple, and practises all kinds of abominations, 2 Chronicles 33:1-9. He and the people are warned in vain, 2 Chronicles 33:10. He is delivered into the hands of the Assyrians, bound with fetters, and carried to Babylon, 2 Chronicles 33:11. He humbles himself, and is restored, 2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:13. He destroys idolatry, and restores the worship of God, 2 Chronicles 33:14-16.