2 Kings 21:19

¶ Amon [was] twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.

Amon {H526} was twenty {H6242} and two {H8147} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he began to reign {H4427}, and he reigned {H4427} two {H8147} years {H8141} in Jerusalem {H3389}. And his mother's {H517} name {H8034} was Meshullemeth {H4922}, the daughter {H1323} of Haruz {H2743} of Jotbah {H3192}.

Amon was twenty-two years old when he began his reign, and he ruled for two years in Yerushalayim. His mother's name was Meshulemet the daughter of Harutz from Yotvah.

Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth daughter of Haruz; she was from Jotbah.

Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.

Commentary

2 Kings 21:19 introduces King Amon, the son of the infamously wicked King Manasseh, marking a pivotal moment in the history of Judah. This verse follows the standard biblical formula for introducing a new monarch, providing essential genealogical and chronological details.

Context

This verse serves as the formal introduction to King Amon, whose reign immediately followed that of his father, King Manasseh. Manasseh had led Judah into profound idolatry and wickedness for 55 years, undoing much of the good work of his father, Hezekiah. While 2 Chronicles records Manasseh's later repentance, the Book of Kings emphasizes the lasting negative impact of his long reign. Amon's brief, two-year rule in Jerusalem continues this downward spiritual trajectory for the kingdom of Judah, setting the stage for the reforms under his son, Josiah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Royal Succession and Brief Reign: The verse precisely states Amon's age (twenty-two) at his ascension and the duration of his reign (two years). This brevity, especially after Manasseh's long rule, hints at the instability and lack of divine favor that characterized Amon's time on the throne. It's a common pattern in the books of Kings to provide such details, as seen with other monarchs like Rehoboam.
  • Mother's Lineage: The mention of Amon's mother, Meshullemeth, daughter of Haruz of Jotbah, is typical in the accounts of Judah's kings. This detail often provided legitimacy or tribal connection, though its specific significance for Amon is not explicitly elaborated upon beyond establishing his lineage. Jotbah was likely a town in Judah.
  • Continuity of Unrighteousness: Though not explicitly stated in this verse, the subsequent verses (2 Kings 21:20-22) make it clear that Amon continued and even intensified the idolatrous practices of his father, Manasseh. His short reign is quickly followed by his assassination (2 Kings 21:23), indicating a period of significant turmoil and divine judgment upon the kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

The names in this verse—Amon, Meshullemeth, Haruz, and Jotbah—are Hebrew proper nouns. While they each have meanings (e.g., Amon possibly meaning "master craftsman" or "nurturer," Meshullemeth meaning "repaid"), these etymologies do not typically carry significant theological weight or direct commentary on the verse's primary message regarding Amon's reign. The verse serves primarily as a historical and genealogical record.

Practical Application

The brief introduction of King Amon highlights the cyclical nature of leadership in Judah and the profound impact of individual choices. Amon inherited a kingdom steeped in sin but chose to perpetuate it rather than pursue righteousness, leading to a swift and violent end. This serves as a timeless reminder that:

  • Legacy Matters: The choices of leaders, both good and bad, have ripple effects for generations.
  • Personal Responsibility: Despite his father's powerful influence, Amon was accountable for his own decisions. His son, King Josiah, later demonstrated that a righteous path is possible even from a wicked lineage.
  • Consequences of Sin: A life lived in rebellion against God, even for a short time, can lead to instability and negative outcomes, both personally and for those under one's influence.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 33:21

    ¶ Amon [was] two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:23

    And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more.

  • 2 Kings 15:23

    In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, [and reigned] two years.

  • 1 Kings 15:25

    ¶ And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years.

  • 1 Kings 16:8

    In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.

  • 1 Chronicles 3:14

    Amon his son, Josiah his son.

  • Matthew 1:10

    And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
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