2 Kings 21:14

KJV

And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will forsake {H5203} the remnant {H7611} of mine inheritance {H5159}, and deliver {H5414} them into the hand {H3027} of their enemies {H341}; and they shall become a prey {H957} and a spoil {H4933} to all their enemies {H341};

Complete Jewish Bible

I will abandon the remnant of my heritage, delivering them into the power of their enemies - they will become prey and plunder for all their enemies;

Berean Standard Bible

So I will forsake the remnant of My inheritance and deliver them into the hands of their enemies. And they will become plunder and spoil to all their enemies,

American Standard Version

And I will cast off the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse pronounces a severe divine judgment against the kingdom of Judah, declaring that God will withdraw His protective hand from them and deliver them into the power of their enemies. This devastating consequence is a direct result of the profound and persistent idolatry and wickedness of King Manasseh, whose actions provoked God's wrath to the point of abandoning His "inheritance" to become "a prey and a spoil," foreshadowing their eventual exile and plunder.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This declaration in 2 Kings 21:14 stands as a climactic pronouncement of judgment within a chapter detailing the unparalleled wickedness of King Manasseh, who reigned for 55 years (2 Kings 21:1). Verses 2-9 meticulously list his abominations: rebuilding high places, erecting altars to Baal and Asherah, worshiping the host of heaven, practicing divination and sorcery, and even sacrificing his son by fire. Most heinously, he placed an idol in the very temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, which God had chosen as His dwelling place (2 Kings 21:7). God's patience, though long-suffering, was exhausted by Manasseh's actions, which were worse than those of the Amorites whom God had dispossessed (2 Kings 21:11). Immediately preceding our verse, God explicitly states His intention to wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish clean (2 Kings 21:13), signaling an irreversible judgment akin to the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel. This verse, therefore, is the direct consequence of Judah's deep spiritual rebellion under Manasseh's corrupt leadership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Manasseh's reign (c. 697-642 BC) occurred during a period when the Assyrian Empire was the dominant world power, exerting significant influence and often demanding tribute from Judah. While Manasseh initially submitted to Assyria, his extensive adoption of pagan practices, including astral worship and child sacrifice, reflects a deep syncretism common in the ancient Near East but strictly forbidden by the Mosaic covenant. The reintroduction of Baal worship and Asherah poles, along with the shedding of innocent blood (2 Kings 21:16), indicates a widespread religious apostasy that permeated society from the king downwards. Jerusalem, the capital and spiritual heart of Judah, was meant to be a beacon of Yahweh worship, but under Manasseh, it became a hub of idolatry, mirroring the very nations God had commanded Israel to displace. The threat of foreign invasion and subjugation was a constant reality for smaller kingdoms like Judah, and God's withdrawal of protection meant they would be utterly vulnerable to such powers, a stark fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in 2 Kings 21:14 is **Divine Judgment** as a consequence of persistent **Idolatry and Covenant Breach**. God's declaration to "forsake the remnant of mine inheritance" underscores the theme of **Loss of Divine Protection** and the **Vulnerability to Enemies** that results from national apostasy. The phrase "prey and a spoil" vividly portrays the complete devastation and plunder that awaits Judah, directly foreshadowing the Babylonian exile and the destruction of Jerusalem, as detailed in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem"). This verse also highlights the profound **Consequences of Leadership**, demonstrating how a king's personal wickedness can lead to national catastrophe. Despite God's enduring covenant with David, the people's unrepentant sin, instigated by their leadership, pushed them beyond the point of immediate reprieve, emphasizing God's unwavering **Holiness and Justice** in holding His people accountable to the terms of their covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Forsake (Hebrew, _nāṭaštî_ from נָטַשׁ, _natash'_):** This verb carries the strong sense of abandoning, letting go, or withdrawing support and care. It implies a decisive act of ceasing a previous relationship of protection and oversight. In this context, it signifies God's active withdrawal of His special covenantal presence and protective hand from Judah, allowing them to face the natural, yet divinely ordained, consequences of their rebellion. It is not a passive turning away, but a deliberate act of relinquishing His hold.
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _naḥălātî_ from נַחֲלָה, _nachalah'_):** This term refers to Judah and Jerusalem, the portion of God's chosen people and the Promised Land that remained after the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel. It emphasizes God's unique claim and relationship with them, viewing them as His special possession, a gift He had given to Himself and His people. The idea of God "forsaking" His "inheritance" underscores the gravity of Judah's sin, as it represents a breach of the deepest covenantal bonds.
* **Prey and Spoil (Hebrew, _baz_ בַּז and _shalal_ שָׁלָל):** These two words are often used together to describe the plunder and booty taken from a conquered enemy. "Prey" (בַּז) refers to what is seized, often from a living creature, while "spoil" (שָׁלָל) refers more broadly to the material possessions taken as plunder. Their combined use here creates a vivid and devastating image of utter helplessness and complete despoliation. Judah would become like defenseless animals or a sacked city, completely vulnerable to the exploitation and ravaging of their enemies, stripped of all possessions and dignity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance":** This clause reveals God as the active agent in the judgment. The "remnant of mine inheritance" refers specifically to the kingdom of Judah and its capital Jerusalem, which remained after the northern kingdom of Israel had fallen. Despite their unique status as God's chosen people and the inheritors of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants, their persistent and extreme idolatry under Manasseh led God to declare His intention to withdraw His protective presence and covenantal favor. This is not a casual abandonment but a solemn, judicial act.
* **"and deliver them into the hand of their enemies;":** This further emphasizes God's direct involvement in the judgment. It's not merely that God will step back, but that He will actively "deliver" or hand them over to their adversaries. This highlights divine sovereignty over nations and historical events, showing that even the actions of foreign invaders are ultimately under God's control and serve His purposes of justice and discipline. Judah's vulnerability is not merely a consequence of military weakness but a direct result of God's deliberate action.
* **"and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;":** This final clause describes the inevitable and devastating outcome of God's withdrawal and deliverance. Without divine protection, Judah would be utterly defenseless, reduced to the status of helpless victims. "Prey" and "spoil" vividly depict the complete subjugation, plunder, and exploitation they would suffer at the hands of any and all who sought to conquer them. This prophesies the severe suffering and material loss that would accompany the Babylonian invasions and subsequent exile, where their land would be ravaged and their people taken captive.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey the gravity of God's judgment. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in God's declaration "I will forsake" and "I will deliver," attributing human actions of abandonment and handing over to the divine. This makes God's active role in the impending judgment palpable and personal. The phrase "prey and a spoil" functions as a stark **metaphor**, comparing Judah's future state to that of helpless victims or plundered goods, emphasizing their utter vulnerability and the totality of their impending devastation. This also serves as a form of **hyperbole** or **intensification**, stressing the complete and widespread nature of the suffering they would endure from "all their enemies." The entire verse is a direct **prophetic declaration**, a pronouncement of future events delivered with divine authority, leaving no doubt as to the certainty of the judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the theological principle that God's covenant faithfulness is inextricably linked to His people's obedience. While God is long-suffering and merciful, His holiness and justice demand a response to persistent, unrepentant sin, especially when it involves idolatry and the defilement of His sacred spaces and covenant. The "forsaking" is not arbitrary but a judicial act, a consequence of Judah's profound breach of the covenant, particularly under Manasseh's leadership. It underscores the severity of rejecting God's commands and turning to other gods, demonstrating that even God's chosen people are not immune to the consequences of rebellion. This judgment reveals God's consistent character, fulfilling the warnings given in the Mosaic Law regarding the curses for disobedience, and affirming that His word, whether of blessing or judgment, will always come to pass.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-52](/deuteronomy/28-49 "Deuteronomy 28:49-52 - Curses of Invasion and Siege")
* [Jeremiah 15:6](/jeremiah/15-6 "Jeremiah 15:6 - God's Abandonment of Judah")
* [Lamentations 2:2](/lamentations/2-2 "Lamentations 2:2 - The Lord's Wrath Against Zion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark reality of 2 Kings 21:14 serves as a profound and sobering reminder of the gravity of sin and the unwavering justice of God. It compels us to consider that God's patience, though vast, is not limitless, especially when His people persistently turn away from Him and embrace practices that defile His name and His dwelling. For believers today, this verse underscores the seriousness with which God views our spiritual fidelity. It challenges us to examine our own lives and communities for any form of idolatry—whether it be the worship of material possessions, personal comfort, worldly success, or anything that takes precedence over our devotion to God. Just as Manasseh's sin had national repercussions, our individual and collective choices have spiritual consequences, impacting not only ourselves but also those around us and the witness of the church. This passage calls us to a deep reverence for God's holiness and a commitment to genuine repentance when we stray, understanding that true security and protection come only from remaining under His watchful and benevolent hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of God's judgment in this verse shape my understanding of His holiness and justice?**
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be subtly "forsaking" God's commands or prioritizing worldly values over His will?**
* **What is my responsibility as an individual to resist spiritual complacency and idolatry, learning from Judah's tragic example?**
* **How can I pray for and support leaders (in church, government, family) to lead righteously, understanding the profound impact of their choices?**

### FAQ
**Why did God "forsake" His own people, Judah, whom He had chosen?**

Answer:God "forsaking" Judah was not an arbitrary or capricious act, but a direct and just consequence of their persistent, profound, and unrepentant covenant breaking, particularly under King Manasseh. Manasseh's reign was characterized by extreme idolatry, including the reintroduction of pagan altars, child sacrifice, and the defilement of the very temple of the Lord in Jerusalem (as detailed in [2 Kings 21:2-9](/2_kings/21-2 "2 Kings 21:2-9 - Manasseh's Wickedness")). This provoked God's wrath to such an extent that He declared He would deal with Jerusalem as He had dealt with Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, which had already fallen due to its idolatry (see [2 Kings 21:13](/2_kings/21-13 "2 Kings 21:13 - God's Judgment on Jerusalem")). God's holiness demands justice, and His covenant faithfulness means He upholds both His promises of blessing for obedience and His warnings of judgment for disobedience.

**Does this mean God gives up on His people permanently?**

Answer:No, this verse describes a severe national judgment, but it does not signify God's permanent abandonment of His covenant promises to Israel or His ultimate plan of redemption. While Judah faced devastating exile and became "a prey and a spoil," God always preserves a remnant (e.g., [Isaiah 10:20-22](/isaiah/10-20 "Isaiah 10:20-22 - A Remnant Will Return")). Furthermore, the individual story of Manasseh himself, as recorded in [2 Chronicles 33:12-13](/2_chronicles/33-12 "2 Chronicles 33:12-13 - Manasseh's Repentance"), shows that even the most wicked king could find personal mercy and restoration through genuine repentance. This judgment served as a disciplinary act, designed to purify and ultimately lead to a future restoration, as prophesied by Jeremiah and Ezekiel, among others.

**How does this judgment reconcile with God's attributes of love and mercy?**

Answer:God's judgment, even in its severity, is an expression of His perfect character, which includes both love and justice. His love and mercy were demonstrated in His long-suffering patience with Judah, His repeated warnings through prophets, and His desire for them to turn back to Him. However, true love does not ignore sin, especially when it is persistent and defiant. God's justice is an essential aspect of His holiness; He must hold His people accountable for their covenant breaking. The judgment, therefore, is not a contradiction of His love but a necessary outworking of His righteous character, intended to uphold His moral order and ultimately to lead His people to a deeper understanding of His holiness and the seriousness of their rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The judgment pronounced in 2 Kings 21:14, where God "forsakes" His inheritance and delivers them to their enemies, finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Judah was forsaken due to their own sin and idolatry, Jesus, the sinless Son of God, experienced the ultimate divine forsaking on the cross, crying out, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" (Matthew 27:46). In that moment, the wrath and judgment due to humanity's sin, which led to Judah's exile, were poured out upon Him. He became "a prey and a spoil" to death and the powers of darkness, not for His own sin, but to deliver us from becoming "prey and spoil" to sin and spiritual enemies (Colossians 2:15). Through His sacrifice, Jesus secures a new and eternal inheritance for His people, the church, who are now "[God's own people](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race")" and "[heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")" (Romans 8:17). Unlike ancient Judah, who lost their physical inheritance due to unfaithfulness, believers in Christ are promised an "[inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")" (1 Peter 1:4), secured by the very One who was forsaken on our behalf. This new covenant, established in Christ's blood, ensures that God will never truly forsake those who are in Him, for He has promised, "[I will never leave you nor forsake you](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God's Promise of Presence")" (Hebrews 13:5), because Christ bore the ultimate forsaking.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 23:33

¶ And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What [is] the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.

2 Kings 19:4

It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up [thy] prayer for the remnant that are left.

Psalms 89:38

¶ But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.

Psalms 89:45

The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.

Lamentations 1:5

Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.

2 Kings 24:2

And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.

Psalms 71:1

¶ In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.