Training, or skilled
2 Kings 21:19-2619Amon 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. 20And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh did. 21And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them: 22And he forsook the Lord God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the Lord. 23And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house. 24And 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. 25Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 26And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead. (2 Kings 21:19‑26); 2 Chron. 33:21-2521Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem. 22But he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them; 23And humbled not himself before the Lord, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more. 24And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house. 25But 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 Chronicles 33:21‑25)
Amon was probably born after his father’s return from Babylon.
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. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did. And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them: And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD (2 Kings 21:19-2219Amon 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. 20And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh did. 21And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them: 22And he forsook the Lord God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the Lord. (2 Kings 21:19‑22)).
He must have had a godly training, as the expression, “he forsook the LORD,” would seem to indicate that he had in his earlier days professed to worship Him. His mother’s name, Meshullemeth (“reconciliation” or “to be safe”), might have reference to his having been born subsequently to her husband’s reconciliation to the Lord, or his safe return from his Babylonian captivity. This would increase Amon’s responsibility—having had such advantages—and consequently enhance his guilt. Her father’s name, Haruz (“earnest”) of Jotbah (“pleasantness”), leads to the supposition that Amon’s mother, like his grandmother, must have been a good woman. But all good women do not always prove to be good mothers. It would be no strange or unusual thing if some of these Hebrew heirs apparent to the throne were permitted to do pretty much as they pleased, and in this way prepared to act the part of self-willed transgressors and rebels against God when the time came for them to take the kingdom. For “a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame” (Prov. 29:1515The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. (Proverbs 29:15)).
There is not one bright spot in this king’s character to relieve the darkness of his life’s brief record. The chronicler wrote that he “humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more” (or “multiplied trespass”). So odious did he make himself, even to the backslidden people, that they rid themselves of his unwelcome presence by the hands of assassins. “And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house.” His subjects must have been reduced to desperate straits when they would thus violate God’s expressed prohibition— “Touch not mine anointed” (1 Chron. 16:2222Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. (1 Chronicles 16:22)). Jeremiah and Zephaniah must have been youths about this time, and the former’s reluctance to take up the prophetic work to which he was called can well be understood when the true condition of affairs in Judah at that time is known. Both could see quite plainly what they might expect if faithful to their trust.
“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” (33:25). The center of light and privilege is not always the seat of righteousness and godly sincerity, but often the reverse is true. The unsophisticated citizens of the land are frequently more loyal and upright than the imperious citizens of the palace.
The record of the reign of Amon is most briefly told—in only sixteen verses. And well it should be so. There is enough for our admonition, after the lessons given in his father’s history.
“And he was buried in his sepulcher in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead.” Uzza means “strength”; death, the strong one, overcame this king of Judah, whose name meant “trained,” or “skilled.” Indeed Amon was skilled in wickedness, and was assassinated in his twenty-fourth year.
“He passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found” (Psa. 37:3636Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. (Psalm 37:36)).