2 Kings 21:23

And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.

And the servants {H5650} of Amon {H526} conspired {H7194} against him, and slew {H4191} the king {H4428} in his own house {H1004}.

Amon's servants conspired against him and put the king to death in his own palace.

Then the servants of Amon conspired against him and killed the king in his palace.

And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and put the king to death in his own house.

Commentary

2 Kings 21:23 KJV records the dramatic and violent end of King Amon of Judah, stating, "And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house." This verse marks a pivotal moment in the declining history of the Southern Kingdom before its eventual exile.

Context

King Amon was the son of Manasseh, one of Judah's most notorious and wicked kings. Following in his father's footsteps, Amon "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did" (2 Kings 21:20). His brief two-year reign (642-640 BC) was characterized by a continuation of idolatry and disregard for God's law, specifically the worship of idols and practices that had defiled the land. This verse highlights the deep instability and moral decay that plagued the kingdom of Judah, leading to internal strife and a violent overthrow of its leader. The assassination occurred within the king's own residence, emphasizing the betrayal by those closest to him.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Wickedness: Amon's unrighteous rule ultimately led to his violent demise, illustrating that evil pursuits often bring destructive outcomes.
  • Treachery and Betrayal: The act of servants conspiring against their king underscores the theme of betrayal, even within the most secure positions of power.
  • Instability of Ungodly Rule: Amon's short and violent reign exemplifies the inherent instability and vulnerability of leadership that deviates from divine principles.
  • Divine Judgment (Indirect): While not explicitly stated as direct divine intervention, the turmoil and assassination can be seen as the natural consequences of a nation and its leaders straying far from God's covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "conspired" (קָשַׁר - qashar) implies a deliberate and organized plot or confederacy. It suggests a binding together with an intent to overthrow. "Slew" (Χ”ΦΈΧ¨Φ·Χ’ - harag) is a straightforward term for killing or murdering, emphasizing the violent and fatal nature of the act. These terms underscore the premeditated and brutal nature of the regicide.

Significance and Application

The assassination of King Amon serves as a stark reminder that no one, regardless of their position, is immune to the consequences of their actions, especially when those actions are characterized by wickedness and a disregard for divine law. This event paved the way for the reign of Amon's son, Josiah, who would become one of Judah's most righteous kings, initiating significant religious reforms (2 Kings 22:1-2). The verse highlights the dangers of unrighteous leadership and the volatile nature of power when divorced from moral and spiritual foundations. It encourages reflection on the importance of integrity, accountability, and the far-reaching impact of one's choices, particularly for those in positions of 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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 12:20

    And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:24

    And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:25

    But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

  • 2 Kings 14:19

    Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem: and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there.

  • 1 Kings 16:9

    And his servant Zimri, captain of half [his] chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of [his] house in Tirzah.

  • 2 Kings 15:25

    But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.

  • 2 Kings 15:30

    And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.
← Back