Manasseh’s Heart in Folly

A child upon the throne at twelve,
In Judah’s courts, he walked himself,
Forgetting God, the guiding light,
And chasing shadows in the night.

He built high places for strange gods,
Adorned with altars, bloodied sods;
The temple’s walls could not contain
The idols of his mind’s domain.

Prophets spoke, but words fell dry,
He heeded not, he passed them by.
The nations watched, the people strayed,
As Manasseh’s heart in folly played.

God sent affliction, chains, and strife,
To mirror back his scattered life.
In exile’s grasp, he bent, he prayed,
Remembered paths he once had strayed.

He humbled self, restored the way,
Removed the idols, chose to stay
Within the house where God abides,
And led his people to the light inside.

So let it teach: when mind forgets,
And wandering thought in chaos sets,
Return, recall your chosen state,
For even kings can recreate.