2 Chronicles 33 (by bits and pieces) Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger; Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err; And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.

Reading this as it is written I would want to say, “Manasseh, boy, you are in for it now!” It is one thing to sin, but to be in a position of authority and to lead others into your wickedness is so much worse. God has in their past opened up the earth and swallowed men for less. This king is in for it, he desereves what he gets for what he has done.

So let us continue this telling.

Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh; when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly; was intreated of him (God); brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.

Well that wasn’t what I expected. Since Manasseh would not listen to God, God used the things of the world to bring Manasseh back into submission. Praise God and this king went about undoing all that he had done. Or did he?

17a The people continued to sacrifice at the illegal places of worship, (God’s Word Version)

Other versions of this passage refer to “the high places” which were set up for sacrifices to other gods and not the Lord Jehovah. They sacrifice to the one true God but not in the right place. Manasseh’s damage had been done and the undoing of it was not in accordance with God’s design.

You shall worship the Lord thy God with all your heart….. that’s the right place.