Although 2nd Kings and 2nd Chronicles both relay the accounts of how Manasseh sinned against God, several key differences portray an alternate meaning for a separate audience and purpose. 2nd Kings 21:10 and 2nd Chronicles 33:9 both share with the audience how Manasseh’s wickedness surpassed all the Amorites who had ruled before him, and his role in making Judah sin with his idols.
After this point, both divert in opposite directions with Chronicles adding how Manasseh was deported to Babylon, only then humbling himself in this place of despair, while also praying to God to bring him back to his Kingdom in Jerusalem. Chronicles considers his repentance important by writing how his son Amon was evil, but failed to humble himself as his father had done before the Lord. In Chronicles, the author seems to be encouraging his audience to repent and humble themselves before God as Manasseh had done; only then will …show more content…
The theme of humbling repentance is not mentioned in Kings, thus showing the different audience of returned exiles in Chronicles. I believe the message about Manasseh presented in Chronicles is more suiting in context, since these exiles were trying to return to their lives in Canaan while attempting to reestablish God’s law. Instead of simply ending the story after their reason for exile as in Kings, Chronicles takes it a step further by giving the exiles examples of sin and punishment; and the humility and restoration that can follow. It also provided them with a connection to a heritage and land while in the mist of facing enemies and obstacles on their return journey. Although Kings and Chronicles contain the same key summary facts, Chronicles additionally shows the importance of faith, the ramifications of humility, and the hope available to these
After this point, both divert in opposite directions with Chronicles adding how Manasseh was deported to Babylon, only then humbling himself in this place of despair, while also praying to God to bring him back to his Kingdom in Jerusalem. Chronicles considers his repentance important by writing how his son Amon was evil, but failed to humble himself as his father had done before the Lord. In Chronicles, the author seems to be encouraging his audience to repent and humble themselves before God as Manasseh had done; only then will …show more content…
The theme of humbling repentance is not mentioned in Kings, thus showing the different audience of returned exiles in Chronicles. I believe the message about Manasseh presented in Chronicles is more suiting in context, since these exiles were trying to return to their lives in Canaan while attempting to reestablish God’s law. Instead of simply ending the story after their reason for exile as in Kings, Chronicles takes it a step further by giving the exiles examples of sin and punishment; and the humility and restoration that can follow. It also provided them with a connection to a heritage and land while in the mist of facing enemies and obstacles on their return journey. Although Kings and Chronicles contain the same key summary facts, Chronicles additionally shows the importance of faith, the ramifications of humility, and the hope available to these