The story of King Hezekiah and his royal lineage is a remarkable narrative of grace, rebellion, repentance, and restoration. It begins with his father King Ahaz and extends through his son Manasseh, grandson Amon, and great-grandson Josiah, ending with Josiah’s sons. This royal line reflects a spiritual rollercoaster that mirrors the heart of Judah a people often torn between the worship of the true God and the seductive appeal of idolatry.
King Ahaz, the father of Hezekiah, began his reign at the age of 20 and ruled for 16 years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:2). Unlike David his forefather, Ahaz did not walk in the ways of the LORD. Instead, he embraced the detestable practices of the surrounding nations. He even sacrificed his own son in the fire and made molten images for Baalim (2 Chronicles 28:2–3). Ahaz closed the doors of the house of the LORD, extinguishing the fire on the altar, and built altars for idol worship in every corner of Jerusalem. His mother is not mentioned, suggesting that either she had little influence or that her identity was not deemed significant in Scripture. Ahaz died unrepentant, and was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the tombs of the kings of Israel (2 Chronicles 28:27).
In stark contrast, his son Hezekiah began to reign at the age of 25 and ruled for 29 years (2 Kings 18:2). His mother was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah (2 Kings 18:2), who may have influenced his righteous upbringing. Hezekiah trusted in the LORD more than any king of Judah before or after him. He tore down the high places, broke the images, and destroyed the bronze serpent Moses had made because people had turned it into an idol. He restored the temple, re-instituted the Passover, and brought spiritual reform across Judah (2 Chronicles 29–31). He prayed earnestly to God when threatened by the Assyrian king Sennacherib, and God miraculously delivered Judah. Later, when he was sick unto death, he prayed, and God extended his life by 15 years (Isaiah 38:5). He died at around 54 years old, having restored Judah’s relationship with God to one of purity and devotion.
However, Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh, reversed much of this progress. Manasseh began to reign at 12 years old and ruled for 55 years the longest reign of any king in Judah (2 Kings 21:1). His mother was Hephzibah (2 Kings 21:1). Manasseh did evil in the sight of the LORD, rebuilding the high places his father destroyed, erecting altars to Baal, and worshipping all the host of heaven. He placed carved images in the temple, practiced witchcraft, and even sacrificed his sons in fire (2 Kings 21:6). His reign was marked by deep idolatry and moral corruption, provoking God’s anger. According to tradition and the Jewish Talmud, he ruled wickedly for about 50 years, until he was taken captive by the Assyrians and imprisoned in Babylon (2 Chronicles 33:11).
While in distress, Manasseh humbled himself greatly and prayed to the LORD. God heard him, restored him to his kingdom, and Manasseh then removed foreign gods and idols from the house of the LORD. He repaired the altar and commanded Judah to serve the LORD. Though his repentance was sincere, the damage done during his long rebellion lingered in Judah. Manasseh’s repentant reign thus lasted for approximately 5 years (2 Chronicles 33:12–16). His transformation is one of the Bible’s greatest examples of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Manasseh’s son Amon began to reign at 22 years old and ruled only 2 years (2 Kings 21:19). His mother was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah (2 Kings 21:19). Amon did evil, walking in the footsteps of his father’s earlier rebellion but never repented as Manasseh did. He re-established idol worship and did not humble himself before the LORD. His servants conspired against him and assassinated him in his own house (2 Kings 21:23). Amon was buried in the garden of Uzza.
Amon’s son, Josiah, succeeded him at the tender age of 8 and reigned for 31 years (2 Kings 22:1). His mother was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath (2 Kings 22:1). Josiah was a righteous king, walking in the ways of David and turning neither to the right nor to the left. In the eighteenth year of his reign, he ordered the repair of the temple, during which the Book of the Law was discovered. Upon hearing it read, Josiah tore his clothes in sorrow, recognising Judah’s guilt.
Josiah initiated a massive spiritual reform. He destroyed the high places, burnt the bones of idolatrous priests, cleansed the land of abominations, and celebrated the Passover as it had not been observed since the days of Samuel (2 Kings 23). He removed mediums, wizards, and all forms of occultism. According to 2 Kings 23:25, “And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might.” Josiah died at 39 years old, killed by Pharaoh Necho at Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29).
Josiah had multiple sons, including Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, and Shallum, but of particular note is Jehoiakim (originally named Eliakim), who succeeded his brother Jehoahaz after Pharaoh Necho appointed him king. These sons, unfortunately, did not continue in their father’s righteous ways, and their reigns marked the final decline of Judah before the Babylonian exile.
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