The Worst King’s Prayer

The Story

Manasseh became king of Judah when he was only twelve years old, and he reigned for fifty-five years. By many measures, he was the worst king Judah ever had.

His father, Hezekiah, had torn down the idols. Manasseh rebuilt them. He built altars to false gods inside the temple of the Lord itself. He practiced witchcraft and consulted mediums. He even sacrificed his own sons in the fire. The Bible says he led the people to do more evil than the nations God had driven out of the land.

God spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they wouldn’t listen.

So God allowed the Assyrian army to capture him. They put a hook in his nose, bound him in chains, and dragged him off to Babylon.

And there, in chains, far from his throne, Manasseh finally humbled himself. He prayed to the God he had defied for so long.

And God heard him. God listened to his prayer and brought him back to Jerusalem and his kingdom. Then the Bible says simply: “Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.”

Manasseh spent the rest of his life trying to undo the damage. He removed the idols from the temple, rebuilt the Lord’s altar, and told the people to serve the Lord.

Reflection