The severe judgment against the Kingdom of Judah is not a sudden reaction to the failures of a single generation, but the tragic result of centuries of ongoing rebellion. Although the nation reaches an unprecedented spiritual low during the reign of King Menashe, the habit of ignoring the word of God has deep historical roots [ביאור שטיינזלץ].
A question arises as to why the final decree of destruction is sealed at this specific moment, particularly since King Menashe ultimately repented. The answer lies in the true spiritual state of the people. Even after the king turned back to God and instructed the nation to do the same, the general public refused to genuinely abandon their abominations or change their ways [מלבי״ם].
Because the people actively chose to continue the corrupt practices of previous generations, God holds them accountable not only for their own wrongdoings but for the accumulated historical sins of the entire nation. Their stubborn behavior links them directly to the continuous anger they have caused Him ever since the Israelites left Egypt [מלבי״ם]. The measure of their sins is now completely full, leaving no more room for divine patience [מצודת דוד]. As a result, the Kingdom of Judah is destined to be destroyed and its people sent into exile, suffering the exact same fate as the Kingdom of Israel [ביאור שטיינזלץ].