2 Kings 21: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 2 Kings 21 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Manasseh, who began to reign at twelve, ruled for fifty-five years in Jerusalem and did evil in Yahweh's sight (vv. 1-2). He rebuilt the high places destroyed by his father Hezekiah, raised altars for Baal, and worshiped the army of the sky (vv.

Key verse

“Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, and has done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, who were before him, and has also made Judah to sin with his idols;”
2 Kings 21:11 (WEB)

Outline

2 Kings 21:1–2 Introduction to Manasseh's Reign
2 Kings 21:3–6 Manasseh's Idolatry and Abominations
2 Kings 21:7–9 Defiling Yahweh's Temple
2 Kings 21:10–15 Prophetic Judgment Declared
2 Kings 21:16–18 The End of Manasseh's Reign
2 Kings 21:19–25 Amon's Short and Evil Reign
2 Kings 21:26 Josiah's Ascension

Discussion questions

In v2, what specific actions does Manasseh take that are considered evil in Yahweh's sight?
What does Manasseh do with the high places in v3 that his father Hezekiah had destroyed?
In v12, what is the meaning of the phrase 'both his ears will tingle' regarding the coming disaster?
In v14, why does Yahweh mention 'the remnant of my inheritance' in relation to the judgment on Jerusalem?
When have you been led to follow others in actions like Manasseh's idolatry in v9?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 2 Kings 21: 2 Chronicles 33, 2 Kings 23, Ezekiel 16.

Before next time: read 2 Kings 22.