John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And he built altars for all the host of heaven , etc.] Sun, moon, and stars: in the two courts of the house of the Lord ; in the court of the priests, and in the court of the people; and all this must be supposed to be done, not as soon as he began to reign, but when he was grown up to man’s estate, and had children, as the next verse shows; unless it can be thought that those nobles in Judah, who liked not the reformation made by Hezekiah, took the advantage of his youth, and advised him to these idolatries.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Young persons generally desire to become their own masters, and to have early possession of riches and power. But this, for the most part ruins their future comfort, and causes mischief to others. It is muc happier when young persons are sheltered under the care of parents of guardians, till age gives experience and discretion. Though such youn persons are less indulged, they will afterwards be thankful. Manasse wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, as if on purpose to provoke him to anger; he did more evil than the nations whom the Lor destroyed. Manasseh went on from bad to worse, till carried captive to Babylon. The people were ready to comply with his wishes, to obtain his favour and because it suited their depraved inclinations. In the reformation of large bodies, numbers are mere time-servers, and in temptation fall away.
Original Hebrew ויבן1129 מזבחות4196 לכל3605 צבא6635 השׁמים8064 בשׁתי8147 חצרות2691 בית1004 יהוה׃3068
