Who is King Amon in the Bible?

Quick Facts

Father: King Manasseh, 2Ch 33:20
Mother: Meshullemeth, 2Ki 21:19
Predecessor: King Manasseh, 2Ch 33:20
Succession: 15th king
Length of reign:  2 years, 2Ki 21:19
Successor: King Josiah, 2Ki 21:24
Age when made a king: 22 years, 2Ki 21:19
Kingdom: Kingdom of Judah
Reign: 642 BC–640 BC
Morality: evil king, 2Ki 21:20-21
Age at which he died: 24 years, 2Ki 21:19
Biblical history: 2Ki 21:19-26; 2Ch 33:20-25

Amon becomes king of Judah

King Amon was a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament. He was the son of King Manasseh and the grandson of King Hezekiah. Amon became king of Judah at 22 and ruled for a brief two-year period from 642 to 640 BC.

Amon was far from a wise. Amon’s father King Manasseh made mistakes. He worshiped a multitude of gods, pursuing idolatry and its associated practices to become a bloodthirsty tyrant who wreaked much havoc in Jerusalem. God judged him; He had the Assyrians capture and imprison him. But when he repented, God restored him to his kingdom. Sadly, Amon witnessed all these and still went down the path of idolatry.  

During his reign, Amon followed in the footsteps of his father. That is, he worshiped the false deities his father once worshiped, continued to promote idol worship, and engaged in wicked practices. He did not seek the Lord or follow the ways of his righteous grandfather. As a result, his reign was marked by corruption and moral decline.

Amon’s reign came to a sudden end when his own officials assassinated him. Then, the people of Judah laid hands on all those who had conspired against Amon and executed them. Amon was succeeded by his son Josiah, who became one of the most righteous kings in the history of Judah.

Major events during Amon’s reign

During the time of Amon, the Kingdom of Israel was still in exile and the king of Assyria had brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, Sepharvaim, to live in the cities of the Kingdom of Israel. (2 Kings 17:24)

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