King Manasseh, the son of the godly King Hezekiah, was the longest-reigning king of Judah, ruling for 55 years. Despite his relation to the God-honoring Hezekiah, Manasseh is widely regarded as one of the worst kings in Judah’s history. He ascended to the throne at the age of 12 and ruled until his death at the age of 67. During his reign, he implemented policies and actions that led to negative consequences for the kingdom.
One of the most significant reasons for Manasseh’s poor reputation is his idolatry and the worship of false gods. He introduced pagan practices and built altars to foreign gods, including the worship of Baal and Asherah. He even sacrificed his own sons in fire and destroyed religious objects in the Temple. These actions were in direct violation of God’s commandments and led to the downfall of the kingdom.
The Bible has it that King Manasseh repented in his later years and attempted to undo the damage he had caused. Despite his reported repentance, Manasseh has gone down in history as the worst of the kings of Judah, for whose sins the nation was punished. His legacy serves as a warning against the dangers of straying from God’s commandments and the importance of a righteous leader.