When he was in distress, he begged the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 12. Distress. “When he had been conducted to Babylon, and cast into a brazen vessel full of holes, over a fire, he called upon all the names of the idols, which he was accustomed to adore; and, as he was not heard, nor set free by them, he recollected what he had often heard repeated by his father: When though shalt call upon me in tribulation, and shalt be converted, I will hear thee graciously; as it is written in Deut. (see Calmet. 4:29. Bible.) and his prayer was thus heard by the Lord, and he was delivered and brought back to his kingdom, like Habacuc.” Saint Jerome Trad.—The author of the imperfect work on Saint Matthew, (among the works of Saint John Chrysostom hom. 1. Bible.) says, that Manasses was barely allowed as much barley bread, and water mixed with vinegar, as would keep him alive. Whereupon, remembering the Lord, he had recourse to his clemency, and a miraculous flame surrounded him, and dissolving his chains, set him at liberty. Saos-duchin, the successor of Azarhaddon, probably restored him to his throne, some years after his captivity, or perhaps that very year, so that his repentance continued thirty-three years. Calmet.—Prayed, a proof of the efficacy of sincere repentance. Worthington.