2 Chronicles 33:21 - Meaning and Application

We know little about Amon, but what is recorded is enough, unless it would have been better if less had been written. His first mark was great wickedness. He did what Manasseh had done in the days when Manasseh was turning away from God (2 Chronicles 33:22). Some take this as proof that Manasseh never truly repented, but that argument ignores how often good kings had wicked sons.

It seems more likely that Manasseh was still careless in one respect. When he removed the idols, he did not fully destroy them, as the law required Israel to burn such images with fire (Deuteronomy 7:2). This shows how necessary that command was. Since the carved images were only cast aside and not burned, Amon knew where to find them, quickly set them up again, and offered sacrifices to them.

The writer adds two things to show how sinful Amon was and to justify God in removing him so soon. First, he went farther in sin than his father had gone. He “trespassed more and more” (2 Chronicles 33:23). His father did evil, but he did worse. Those who give themselves to idols often grow more and more attached to them.

Second, Amon fell short of his father in repentance. He did not humble himself before the Lord as his father had humbled himself. He fell into sin like his father, but he did not rise again like his father. It is not sin itself that ruins people so much as staying proud in sin. The real danger is not only that a person offends, but that he refuses to humble himself and turn back. The disease is serious, but the greater loss is neglecting the cure.

Amon’s destruction came quickly. He reigned only two years, and then his servants plotted against him and killed him (2 Chronicles 33:24). Perhaps, since he began as his father had begun, he imagined he would also repent later as his father had done. If so, he was badly mistaken. To assume that one will repent someday is a dangerous folly. If he hoped to repent in old age, he was sadly disappointed, because he was cut off while still young.

He rebelled against God, and then his own servants rebelled against him. In this, God was acting justly, though the servants were acting wickedly. The people of the land were right to put the murderers to death as traitors. The lives of kings are especially under the care of God’s providence, and they are also guarded by the laws of both God and man.