This verse draws the following contrast: in the place where the Lord wanted to reign— the temple—Manasseh placed altars for other gods. That is impossible, for where the Lord is present, there is no room for other gods. That is still the case. God does not tolerate other gods in his presence, and this means a radical choice for us. We must also be prepared to not give any room to other gods. For God’s punishment, see 2 Kings 21:10–15.
4 And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem will I put my name.”