And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.
The Lord spoke and gave warning to Manasseh and to his people, but they would not listen and refused to heed Him. Their refusal was repeated, a stubborn rejection of God's warnings. That stubborn rejection made Manasseh's sin worse and aggravated his guilt.
In thus warning them the Lord had already borne long with them and continued to show them mercy. Their refusal was followed by punishment, showing that when appeals have been refused God may bring affliction to turn people back to Himself. Manasseh therefore stands as an example of hearing God's word without obeying it, an example those entrusted with the work must not follow.
The Lord spoke and gave warning to Manasseh and to his people, but they would not listen and refused to heed Him. Their refusal was repeated, a stubborn rejection of God's warnings. That stubborn rejection made Manasseh's sin worse and aggravated his guilt.
In thus warning them the Lord had already borne long with them and continued to show them mercy. Their refusal was followed by punishment, showing that when appeals have been refused God may bring affliction to turn people back to Himself. Manasseh therefore stands as an example of hearing God's word without obeying it, an example those entrusted with the work must not follow.