Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 5. He built altars] See the principal facts in this chapter explained in the notes on 2 Kings xxi. 1-17.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-20 - We have seen Manasseh's wickedness; here we have his repentance, and memorable instance it is of the riches of God's pardoning mercy, an the power of his renewing grace. Deprived of his liberty, separate from his evil counsellors and companions, without any prospect but of ending his days in a wretched prison, Manasseh thought upon what ha passed; he began to cry for mercy and deliverance. He confessed his sins, condemned himself, was humbled before God, loathing himself as monster of impiety and wickedness. Yet he hoped to be pardoned throug the abundant mercy of the Lord. Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah wa God, able to deliver. He knew him as a God of salvation; he learned to fear, trust in, love, and obey him. From this time he bore a ne character, and walked in newness of life. Who can tell what tortures of conscience, what pangs of grief, what fears of wrath, what agonizin remorse he endured, when he looked back on his many years of apostac and rebellion against God; on his having led thousands into sin an perdition; and on his blood-guiltiness in the persecution of a numbe of God's children? And who can complain that the way of heaven i blocked up, when he sees such a sinner enter? Say the worst agains thyself, here is one as bad who finds the way to repentance. Deny no to thyself that which God hath not denied to thee; it is not thy sin but thy impenitence, that bars heaven against thee. (2Ch 33:21-25)
Original Hebrew ויבן1129 מזבחות4196 לכל3605 צבא6635 השׁמים8064 בשׁתי8147 חצרות2691 בית1004 יהוה׃3068
