Essay on "Religion Both Ahab and Manasseh Reigned"

Essay 4 pages (1230 words) Sources: 0

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Religion

Both Ahab and Manasseh reigned as kings of Israel and impacted the course of their people's history. Manasseh ruled Israel for several decades longer than Ahab did because he was crowned as a child. According to 2 Kings: 21, Manasseh became king of Israel at the age of 12. He ruled for over fifty years. Ahab, on the other hand, ruled Israel for just over twenty-two years. Ahab and Manasseh both strayed from the will of God as they ruled and both kings committed evil deeds. First, Ahab and Manasseh used their power to sway the people of Israel away from the one true God and back towards pagan traditions. For example, both Ahab and Manasseh built altars to Baal. The kings did so in spite of the efforts of their predecessors to eliminate paganism. Furthermore, both Ahab and Manasseh heard the word of God spoken directly and through prophets and chose not to listen.

In particular, Ahab's story reveals a gross abuse of power. In an act of direct defiance of God's will and the ten commandments, King Ahab coveted the vineyards of Naboth. Naboth refused to sell Ahab his vineyards saying, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers," (1 Kings 21:3). After his wife Jezebel's goading, "Is this how you act as king over Israel?" he then had Naboth stoned to death (1 Kings 21:7). Finally, both King Ahab and King Manasseh suffered for their sins. Manasseh was imprisoned by the Babylonians and in his suffering prostrated himself and repented. Even Ahab was forced to humble himself before God because Elijah delivered the message: "There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife," (1 Kings 21:25).

2. Unfortunately, Ahab and Manasseh did not have a positive impact on the people they ruled. Both Kings abused their power, acting treacherously and in direct defiance of God. They both led their people astray. Instead of continuing to worship the one true God, both King Ahab and King Manasseh allowed the old pagan gods to propagate. They even encouraged pagan worship by building altars to Baal. By no means were Ahab and Manasseh good kings. Their sins would be passed on to their successors too, as God vowed of Ahab: "I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son," (1 Kings 21:28). Similarly, the son of Manasseh Amon was as evil as his father.

The only positive impact Ahab and Manasseh might have had on their people was to teach a lesson about poor leadership. The people of Israel were vulnerable at the time of their reigns. Instead of offering spiritual strength, Ahab and Manasseh acted selfishly and sinfully. As we read their stories, we can learn how not to act. The people of Israel may have been able to discern bad leadership from good. Furthermore, the people of Israel may have learned from the errors of their kings. Both Ahab and Manasseh were ultimately forced to repent and humble themselves. Ahab "tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly," (1 Kings 21:27). Manasseh "prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God," (2 Chronicles 33:13).

In the end, Ahab and Manasseh were defeated by their own wickedness. While they might have squandered their leadership, Ahab and Manasseh ultimately proved the power of God. Herein lies the most important… READ MORE

How to Reference "Religion Both Ahab and Manasseh Reigned" Essay in a Bibliography

Related Essays:

Religion in Indonesia Islam Essay

Religion in Indonesia

Islam in Indonesia

Islam was largely the dominant faith in Indonesia with the largest tally of adherents that constituted approximately 87% of the total populace in 1985… read more

Essay 7 pages (2136 words) Sources: 7 Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Religion Christianity and Islam: Religions of Abraham? Essay

Religion

Christianity and Islam: Religions of Abraham?

Although religious scholars have come to no definitive conclusion as to whether Abraham is the "father" of the three predominant religions practiced in… read more

Essay 4 pages (1093 words) Sources: 4 Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Religion the Protestant Reformation Forced the Catholic Term Paper

Religion

The Protestant Reformation forced the Catholic Church to redefine itself, its "inner life," and the role it would play in the greater social, political, and theological rubric of Christianity.… read more

Term Paper 2 pages (625 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Religion Versus Science Term Paper

Religion vs. Science: the issue of cloning and stem cell research

The debate about religion vs. science is one that has been ongoing since the start of the industrial revolution… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (1210 words) Sources: 3 Style: MLA Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Religion and Politics Religion Today the Average Thesis

Religion and Politics

Religion Today

The average day of most individuals is that of waking up early, rushing to work to give 110% of themselves and their efforts and then… read more

Thesis 6 pages (1783 words) Sources: 4 Style: APA Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>