EN
The narrative about King Manasseh in the Second Book of Chronicles(33:1-20) is an interesting example of the reinterpretation ofhistorical material found in the Books of Kings. In the first part(2 Chr 33: 1-9) the Chronicler picks up the details of the plot aboutManasseh from 2 Kgs 21:1-9 and forms thus its parallel narrative. Inthe second part (2 Chr 33:10-20) he presents, however, his own materialabout Manasseh which is absent in the narrative of the Booksof Kings (cf. 2 Kgs 21:10-18). In effect, the Books of Chronicles sheddifferent light on the reign of our king. Whereas the Books of Kingspresent Manasseh as the most impious Judean king, idolater andmurderer of the innocent Judahites, causing the fall of his kingdomand its inhabitants who became destined for an exile into Babylon,the Books of Chronicles build up a positive image of Manasseh.Here, he is a sinner who, punished by God, humbled himself beforeHim and converted, and after his rehabilitation carried out religiousreforms and devoted himself to construction works, renewing thusthe splendour of the Kingdom of Judah. This alternative traditionabout Manasseh harmonises perfectly with the theological messageof the Books of Chronicles, since its narrative about Manasseh depictsa well-recognized pattern of the Chronicler, namely sin – punishment– conversion – restoration, which was particularly important to thepostexilic community. In Manasseh’s destiny it could reread its ownhistory as punishment for idolatry and unfaithfulness to God, whois willing to forgive its trespasses and restore its lost splendour if itreturns to Him. This interrelated link between God’s forgiveness,restoration and conversion is a universal truth, tangible also in today’saddresses of the Holy Scripture.