Men's Ministry
Please read II Kings 21:1-9
3. Make a list of the despicable things that Manasseh did. There are at least nine.
4. Why didn't the people do something about Manasseh’s wicked policies? Couldn't they have at least boycotted his pagan altars? See II Chronicles 33:10 for the answer.
5. To whom is Manasseh compared? (There are two answers.) What do you know about those to whom he is being compared?
5. To whom is Manasseh compared? (There are two answers.) What do you know about those to whom he is being compared?
Please read II Kings 21:10-18
6. God sent prophets (Joel, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Isaiah) to Judah. Their messages are summarized in verses 11 through 15. Since Manasseh was so evil, and since the people seemed to welcome his “reforms,” why would God send prophets? Why not let them suffer for rejecting Him?
7. What does God mean in verse 13 when He mentions “the measuring line of Samaria and the plumb line of the house of Ahab?”
8. What do you think verse 16 means, the part about innocent blood?
8. What do you think verse 16 means, the part about innocent blood?
Please read II Chronicles 33:10-13
9. The information from this passage (and verses 14-17) are not included in II Kings. What is the “therefore” in verse 11 there for?
10. What is the meaning of “hooks” in verse 11? Why do you think they needed “chains of bronze” in addition to the hooks?
11. Note that the Assyrians (north of Israel) took Manasseh to Babylon (west of Israel). This is because Assyria ruled both Nineveh and Babylon at this time. (Babylon would free itself a few years later.) While in Babylon, the light turned on in Manasseh’s brain and he realized he was in distress (verse 12). What was this distress? Was it being held captive in Babylon by the Assyrians or was it more than that?
11. Note that the Assyrians (north of Israel) took Manasseh to Babylon (west of Israel). This is because Assyria ruled both Nineveh and Babylon at this time. (Babylon would free itself a few years later.) While in Babylon, the light turned on in Manasseh’s brain and he realized he was in distress (verse 12). What was this distress? Was it being held captive in Babylon by the Assyrians or was it more than that?
12. You can read about the changes that Manasseh went through in II Chronicles 33:14-16. It’s important, however, to note verse 17: “Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the Lord their God.” Manasseh’s earlier years had consequences! Can you tell of something you did that had later consequences, even though you repented? Perhaps the consequences are still apparent.
Please read II Kings 21:19-26
13. Amon undoubtedly saw the repentance and reforms of his father, Manasseh. Why do you think he continued in the earlier steps of his father?
14. Amon was assassinated by his own servants after only two years on the throne. This is the first time this happens in Judah; it was fairly common in Israel. Do you see any kind of connection between what was fairly common in the north with what has now occurred in the south?
15. In a previous verse, we read that the people did not comply with Manasseh’s repentance and reforms. However, in verse 24, the people executed the servants that assassinated Amon. Why would they want righteousness and justice after tolerating evil for so long?
16. Amon was replaced by his son, Josiah. In the next chapter, we’ll discover that he was a good king. Hezekiah (great grandfather) was good, Manasseh (grandfather) was bad, Amon (father) was bad, and now Josiah is good. How can we explain this?
15. In a previous verse, we read that the people did not comply with Manasseh’s repentance and reforms. However, in verse 24, the people executed the servants that assassinated Amon. Why would they want righteousness and justice after tolerating evil for so long?
16. Amon was replaced by his son, Josiah. In the next chapter, we’ll discover that he was a good king. Hezekiah (great grandfather) was good, Manasseh (grandfather) was bad, Amon (father) was bad, and now Josiah is good. How can we explain this?