What is the difference between the books of “1 Kings, 2 Kings” and “1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles?” The account of Manasseh in both records is a classic example to help us appreciate the difference. Whereas the books of Kings narrate the kings in both the kingdoms of the northern Israel and the southern Judah, the book of Chronicles only records the kings from Judah, the southern kingdom. All the kings of Israel and almost all the kings of Judah are evil. But a few kings in Judah are good. The reason that the Chronicler focuses on only the kings of Judah is because Judah is where the Messianic line is preserved after David. While the writer of Kings narrates all the kings in both kingdoms in a broader range of historical details, the Chronicler’s role is to highlight how God still fulfils His sovereign covenant with the Jews in Judah though they also rebel against Him repeatedly. Amid the description of the evil kings in Judah, the Chronicler seeks to insert glimpses of hope for the Jews.

In 2 Chr 33, two segments are clearly seen under the reign of Manasseh; first how this evil king brought the nation to the depth of spiritual decay (v1-9) and second how Manasseh repented and then reformed the kingdom (v10-20). In comparison, the writer of 2 Ki 21 does not include the repentance and reformation of Manasseh but the writer only describes him as the evilest king with the longest reign of fifty-five years in Judah. And in 2 Ki 21:10-16, the writer also says that the evil reign of Manasseh is the reason that God is going to punish Judah like her sister, Israel. As for 2 Chr 33, it only narrates the evil deeds of Manasseh but not the punishment that is being prophesied and occurred. Lastly, unlike 2 Chr 33, 2 Ki 21 does not record how the king repented during his exile and how he returned to reform Judah.

Manasseh did exactly the opposite from what his father Hezekiah, a good king had done and led the people to worship God. Manasseh instead, followed everything what the pagan nations did and it was why God drove them out so that His people would not follow these pagan practices. But Manasseh erected all the altars to worship the pagan gods such as the Baal, Asheroth, host of heaven and Molech (child sacrifice). He also practiced fortune-telling, used omens and sorcery. And he even erected these altars in the inner and outer courts of God’s temple. Verses 4 and 7 repeats the abomination he did that instead of honoring God by proclaiming His name in Jerusalem, he angered God with all these evil deeds. As a result, Manasseh was captured and deported to Assyria. But he repented and God brought him back to Jerusalem. The last few verses record how he introduced reformation to restore the worship of God in Jerusalem. However, Judah eventually was still punished by God because of the rebellion and sins of most of the evil kings. But perhaps because of his repentance, the exile of Judah did not occur during his reign but later under another king, after the Assyrian Empire was taken over the Babylonian Empire.

Our God is just and righteous. And He is also a God of mercy and love. We are supposed to be consumed by His anger because of His wrath over the sins of man. But we are thankful and grateful that He provided a way for us; Christ took our sins upon Himself and died on our behalf at the Cross. He paid the ransom and redeemed us from the slave market of sin and Satan.

PRAYER : Dear God, thank you for your mercy extended and grace shown to us by sending your son to die for our sins. We are thankful that you have adopted us as your children and that we can call you as our Abba Father. I praise you in Jesus’ name. Amen.