Amon
Who was Amon?
King of Judah noted in 2 Kings 21:18
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Amon (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Amon of Judah (c. 663-639 BCE) was the fifteenth king of the Kingdom of Judah, ruling for about two years from 641 to 639 BCE. He was the son of King Manasseh, one of Judah's longest-reigning monarchs, and became king at age twenty-two after his father's death. Amon's rule continued the religious policies of his father, promoting foreign religious practices and neglecting traditional Yahwistic worship that had been central to Judahite identity.
During his short time as king, Amon upheld the idol worship his father Manasseh had spread throughout the kingdom. This included the worship of Assyrian gods, child sacrifice, and the placement of foreign religious symbols in the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. Unlike his father, who according to biblical accounts eventually repented and tried to implement religious reforms late in his reign, Amon showed no desire for religious change or a return to traditional worship. This stance caused significant tension within Judah's society, especially among those committed to worshiping Yahweh alone.
The king's policies and style of leadership faced strong opposition from court officials and the general population. His continued support for pro-Assyrian policies—both religious and political—clashed with the growing nationalist sentiment in Judah. The kingdom was under pressure from several sides, including continued Assyrian influence, emerging Babylonian power, and internal religious divisions that had been building under foreign rule for decades.
Amon's reign was cut short when he was assassinated by his own servants in the royal palace in Jerusalem around 639 BCE. According to the biblical account in 2 Kings, this was a palace conspiracy, though the specific reasons and identities of all involved remain unclear. After the assassination, the 'people of the land'—likely referring to the landed nobility and free citizens of Judah—executed those responsible for the king's death and placed his eight-year-old son Josiah on the throne. This change in leadership was historically important, as Josiah would later implement major religious reforms that reversed many of the policies established during both Manasseh's and Amon's reigns.
Before Fame
Amon was born into the royal family of Judah during a time of major political and religious change. His father, Manasseh, ruled for fifty-five years, making him one of Judah's longest-serving kings. During Amon's early years, the Kingdom of Judah was a vassal state under the powerful Assyrian Empire, which had controlled the area since the late 700s BCE.
Growing up in the royal court, Amon would have learned the administrative and military skills needed for kingship and been exposed to the mixed religious practices of his father’s reign. Assyrian culture, religion, and politics heavily influenced his early years and shaped how he governed after he became king at age twenty-two.
Key Achievements
- Maintained political stability as a vassal of the Assyrian Empire during a period of regional upheaval
- Continued the administrative systems established during his father Manasseh's long reign
- Preserved the Davidic dynastic line through his son Josiah despite his controversial reign
- Maintained control over Judahite territory during increasing pressure from emerging Babylonian power
Did You Know?
- 01.His name 'Amon' was likely derived from the Egyptian god Amun, reflecting the international religious influences present in 7th century BCE Judah
- 02.He was assassinated in his own palace by servants, making him one of only a few Judahite kings to die by assassination
- 03.His reign lasted only two years, making it one of the shortest in Judahite royal history
- 04.The 'people of the land' who executed his assassins and installed his son Josiah represented a significant political faction in ancient Judah
- 05.He was buried in the garden of Uzza, the same location as his father Manasseh, rather than in the traditional royal tombs