Manasseh and Amon, Kings of Judah

Hezekiah died after he had reigned twenty-nine years, and he was succeeded by his son Manasseh. But Manasseh, instead of following in the footsteps of Hezekiah, abandoned himself to all the wicked practices of those kings of Israel whom God had exterminated. Therefore God allowed the king of Babylon and Chaldea to invade Judea with a mighty army and lay waste the country. And Manasseh himself was brought captive to Babylon. Then it was that Manasseh repented of his sin and turned to God, praying Him to render his enemy humane and merciful. God heard his prayer, and granted him what he prayed for. For Manasseh was released by the king of Babylon and returned to Jerusalem.

He showed that his repentance was sincere, for he turned from all false worships, consecrated the temple anew, and re-established the sacrifices according to the law of Moses. But when he died, his son Amon, who succeeded to the throne, imitated only the youthful wickedness of his father, and it was not long before he reaped his reward. For he had reigned only two years when he was slain by a conspiracy of his own servants.