Overall, in the study of the Monarchs of Judah, King Manasseh is relegated to obscurity.

Once the Kingdom of Israel “split,” after the reigns of Saul and David and Solomon, Rehoboam (son of Solomon) was its first sitting Ruler. Thus he gets a lot of attention, particularly as an unwise man.

King Asa and his foot disease gets a lot of ink (written commentary) as well.

And so does Jehoshaphat, with his unequal yoke to wicked King Ahab of Israel.

Even a Queen (apostate Athaliah) gets a load of attention. She nearly killed all the “godly line” of royalty! But the Lord intervened … and young Joash soon rules the Land.

The great King Uzziah also is familiar, being associated with the ministry of the Prophet Isaiah.

So are the “revivalist” Kings well known, both Hezekiah and Josiah.

Even the last few Kings (merely puppets, really) get a good bit of Bible coverage. Each (Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah) ineffectively led the Nation of Judah in her last days, before (Babylonian) captivity.

So … and maybe justly … Manasseh’s Story is often overlooked.

But I am glad we have invested the time these past few mornings studying him.

What great Lessons we have covered in the subjects of …

Missed opportunities.

The influence of evil.

The danger of compromise.

The reality of God’s discipline in a man’s life.

The potential pain of disobeying God.

The power of a humbled heart … in the sight of God!

The nearly unprecedented release of a rebellious captive!

A rebuilding effort of Manasseh’s part, repairing things he had once destroyed.

And an insincere Revival in Judah, half hearted at best.

Then, lastly, the tragedy of a family lost to the influence of sin.

Yes, those ancient things of bygone years (the Old Testament to us Christians) truly are written for our warning, admonition and learning.

“Lord, help us to be good students!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell