And he did not humble himself before the LORD: The common Hebrew conjunction rendered And is better translated “But” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation, La Bible Pléiade, La Bible des Communautés Chrétiennes) since there is a contrast here, comparing Amon unfavorably to his father who, in spite of his wrongdoing, repented. For humble himself, see the comments on 2 Chr 7.14.

As Manasseh his father had humbled himself: See verse 12.

But this Amon incurred guilt more and more: This Amon is literally “he Amon.” The pronoun “he” is emphatic. Revised Standard Version attempts to express this emphasis by saying this Amon. Incurred guilt more and more is literally “increased guilt.” The sense is clearly expressed in renderings such as “his guilt was much greater” (Revised English Bible) and “he was even more sinful than his father had been” (Good News Translation). Amon’s greater guilt came from his failure to worship God alone as his father had done.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .