In Second Kings, chapter twenty-one, verse ten, Isaiah was probably still prophesying during Manasseh’s time. Among other things, a prophet was a voice for righteousness when God’s people were conforming to worldly ways. The Lord, therefore, announced through the prophets, to the rebellious and idolatrous nation, the destruction of Jerusalem and the deliverance of Judah into the hands of its enemies; but, as is added in Second Chronicles thirty-three, verse ten, they paid no heed to them. The prophets who foretold this terrible judgment are not named.
According to Second Chronicles verse eighteen of chapter thirty-three, their utterances were in the annals of the kings. Habakkuk was probably one of them since, in Habakkuk one, verse five predicted the Chaldaean judgment as a fact that excited astonishment and appeared incredible. The Amorites are mentioned in Second Kings twenty-one, verse eleven, instar omnium as the supporters of the Canaanitish ungodliness, as in First Kings twenty-one, verse twenty-six. The phrase, “that whosoever heareth it, both his ears may tingle,” that has not been heard of before, excites alarm and horror (compare in verses First Samuel three, verse eleven and Jeremiah nineteen, verse three).
Second Kings twenty-one, verses ten through eighteen, states the doom of Judah and Jerusalem. The words represent the city emptied and utterly desolate, yet not destroyed thereby, but cleansed, and to for the future dwelling of God’s people: forsaken, yet not finally, and only as to outward privileges, for individual believers were preserved in that visitation. The Lord will cast off any professing people who dishonor him by their crimes but never will desert his cause on earth. In the book of Chronicles, we read of Manasseh’s repentance and acceptance of God. We may learn not to despair of the recovery of the greatest sinners. But let none dare to persist in sin, presuming that they may repent and reform when they please. There are a few instances of the conversion of notorious sinners that none may despair, but few that none may presume.