Definition: And the altars that [were] on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake [them] down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage together. It's a pretty dramatic and unsettling verse from the Book of 2 Kings. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse describes a massive act of destruction – a complete demolition of temples dedicated to God – by King Manasseh, who ruled over Judah (a region in Israel) after the death of his brother, Ahaz. Here's the breakdown: “And the altars that [were] on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz…” - This refers to a temple built by Ahaz, the last king of Judah. The “upper chamber” was a very important part of this temple. “…and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD.” – Manasseh was the king of Judah after Ahaz died. He built temples for God in two separate areas – one called the “court” and one called the “courts.” “did the king beat down, and brake [them] down from thence…” - This is the key part. The King Manasseh was furious. He ordered his soldiers to destroy these temples completely. He essentially smashed them into pieces. "...and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.” – After the temples were destroyed, the remains (the “dust”) were dumped into the Kidron River. Kidron is a very old river in this region, so this was a huge and symbolic act of destruction. What’s the Big Picture? This verse paints a picture of a king who prioritized his own desires – specifically, building temples for himself – over God's will and the worship of the Lord. It suggests: Religious Disunity: Manasseh’s actions were causing division among the people of Judah. They were likely divided between those who worshipped Manasseh and those who continued to honor the God of Israel. Political Instability: The act of destroying these temples was a significant political move, indicating a loss of trust and stability in the kingdom. Important Note: This passage is very harsh and has religious significance. It’s often interpreted as a warning against idolatry (worshiping idols instead of God) and rebellion against God's authority. In short, this verse describes a king who destroyed sacred temples in a desperate attempt to gain power and control, leading to widespread disruption and conflict. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Give you some context about the time period when this happened? Connect this verse to other Bible stories or themes?