“Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. … And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done. So, he walked in all the ways that his father had walked; and he served the idols that his father had served and worshiped them. He forsook the Lord God of his fathers and did not walk in the way of the Lord. Then the servants of Amon conspired against him and killed the king in his own house” (2 Kings 21:19–23).
Two years isn’t a long time when you think about it, but even a short period of leadership can leave an indelible mark on history. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, a photogenic U.S. senator and World War II naval hero, served only a thousand days as President of the United States before his life was ended by assassination on November 22, 1963. But Kennedy’s legacy inspired millions and is still warmly remembered today.
There’s little possibility that Amon would have inspired a similar reaction. It’s easy to think of him as yet another of the rebellious kings of Judah, whom God tolerated solely because of the Lord’s promise that the House of David would reign in Jerusalem forever. But there’s a bit more to this story.
Amon had the chance to upend the traditions of his father Manasseh. He could have torn down the idols, set his heart toward God, and led the kingdom to happiness. But instead, he did the same sinful things Manasseh did, perhaps more intensely. Why else might his own servants conspire against him and take his life?
Those servants met their own fate: the people rose up and killed them. Yet in ending Amon’s reign quickly, they may have saved Judah from even more calamity.
It should make us wonder: “What kind of legacy am I leaving? What am I doing to follow God’s voice?”
Lord, thank You that it is never too late to turn and serve You. Keep me close to Your ways, and if I wander, bring me back!
