John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. But they hearkened not , etc.] To the voice of God in his law by Moses, and were not obedient to it: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel : he set up more idols, and drew the people into more and greater idolatries, than the old Canaanites; and these were the more aggravated by having a law given to them, and prophets sent to instruct them in it, and by the benefits and blessings bestowed upon them by the lawgiver, which laid them under greater obligations to him; (see Jeremiah 2:11,28).
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 ולא3808 שׁמעו8085 ויתעם8582 מנשׁה4519 לעשׂות6213 את853 הרע7451 מן4480 הגוים1471 אשׁר834 השׁמיד8045 יהוה3068 מפני6440 בני1121 ישׂראל׃3478
