Manasseh King of Judah

21:1–10pp—2Ch 33:1–10
21:17–18pp—2Ch 33:18–20

21 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.s 2 He did evilt in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practicesu of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high placesv his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baalw and made an Asherah pole,x as Ahab king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hostsy and worshiped them. 4 He built altarsz in the temple of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “In Jerusalem I will put my Name.”a 5 In the two courtsb of the temple of the Lord, he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6 He sacrificed his own sonc in the fire, practiced divination,d sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists.e He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousingf his anger.

7 He took the carved Asherah poleg he had made and put it in the temple,h of which the Lord had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Namei forever. 8 I will not againj make the feet of the Israelites wander from the land I gave their ancestors, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them and will keep the whole Law that my servant Mosesk gave them.” 9 But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evill than the nationsm the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.

10 The Lord said through his servants the prophets: