Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still, &c.— Rabbi Kimchi observes very well here, that though Manasseh's repentance might have been sincere, yet it was attended with a melancholy circumstance that ought to sound in the car of every one invested with power. His example and authority easily seduced his people to idolatry; but his royal mandate was unable to reclaim them.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, Manasseh's wicked beginning was before observed, 2 Kings 21. He was idolatrous, profane, abandoned to every evil, and strove as if to root out the name of the Lord, that it should be no more had in remembrance: hardened against reproof, and not content to be vile himself, compelling his people to worse abominations than ever the heathen committed. Note; (1.) The work of reformation is with difficulty accomplished, the establishment of wickedness readily complied with. (2.) Could many good fathers return from their graves, their hearts would break to see the abominations of their ungodly children. (3.) God leaves not the worst without some checks of conscience, or reproofs from his word; but they rush determinedly on their ruin.
2nd, Though God bears long and is kind, he will make inquisition at last.
1. The king of Babylon, now the conqueror of Assyria, advances, and, having borne down all before him, drags forth the wicked Manasseh from a thicket of thorns, whither he had fled to hide himself, and, binding him in fetters, carries him captive to Babylon. Now Hezekiah's treasures were given for a prey, and the people received the just scourge of their faithless apostacy.
2. What all the former warnings could not effect, this heavy affliction brought about. In his misery, Manasseh thought upon God, and with deep humiliation cried for mercy. Happy prison! How infinitely better to him, than the defiled palaces of Zion. Note; (1.) Sanctified afflictions are among the greatest mercies. (2.) They who remember in trouble their own evil ways, will feel the bitterness of them, and groan being burdened. (3.) There is no case so desperate as to exclude hope, while there is access to the throne of grace.
3. God had compassion upon him, and inclined the heart of the king of Babylon to pity and restore him to his lost dignity. Note; (1.) The vilest of sinners need not despair when Manasseh is pardoned. (2.) When our misery drives us to God, he will not refuse to help us. (3.) The prayer of penitence never yet ascended without receiving the answer of peace.
4. Made wise by past experience, he now knew that the Lord alone was God, whose rod he had felt, and whose mercy he had tasted: therefore, with detestation of his former abominations, every idol is destroyed out of God's house; his ruined altar is repaired: his sacrifices and service are restored, and the people brought back from their idolatry. The high places, indeed, were not taken away; but though on them they still sacrificed, it was to the Lord Jehovah only. Note; (1.) Where the heart is truly converted, there will be a through change in the conduct. (2.) The worship of God is among the first concerns of the awakened soul. (3.) When we are brought to a sense of our sins, we shall zealously labour to recover those whom we have seduced, or emboldened to transgress, by our own ill examples.
5. In consequence of his unfeigned repentance, God strengthened him in his kingdom, Jerusalem was fortified, and the cities of Judah garrisoned. Without God, all defences are vain: if he be with us, his name is a strong tower; the righteous fleeth unto it, and are safe.
6. Manasseh no more revolted from God. The sun, which rose so eclipsed, set with splendour. Accounts of his wickedness and repentance were preserved in the books of the kings of Israel, and the writings of the seers, who had spoken to him in the name of the Lord. He rejected their message indeed at first, but afterwards acknowledged his guilt and shame, and wished its memory to be perpetuated as a warning to others. He was buried privately, probably at his own desire as a mark of humiliation, and left his throne to his ungodly son and successor Amon. Note; (1.) Though God has forgiven our sin, to our last hour we had need remember, and be confounded at the review of it. (2.) They who are true penitents are most willing to take shame to themselves for their sins.
3rdly, Amon copied the worst of his father's wicked ways. The images which Manasseh had cast out, and should have destroyed, he restored. More madly attached to his idols, than even his unhappy father had been, and incorrigible in his sin, he never, like him, repented. Short was his career of impiety: in two years he fell by a conspiracy of his own servants, and left the kingdom to the last good king of Judah. Note; (1.) Final impenitence seals up the soul under eternal ruin. (2.) That which is evil, is much easier copied than what is good. (3.) It is a mercy to a land when wicked magistrates are quickly cut off from it.