A common misinterpretation views this verse in isolation as mere militaristic expansionism by the wicked King Manasseh, ignoring the preceding context of his profound repentance and God's mercy in 33:12-13, which prompted these defensive measures as evidence of his turnaround rather than ongoing idolatry; others might confuse it with Solomon's or Hezekiah's works or read it as endorsing aggressive warfare without recognizing its protective purpose amid threats after his humiliation.
II Chronicles 33:14
King James Version (1769)
14 Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.
After his repentance and restoration by God following Assyrian captivity, King Manasseh undertook significant fortification projects in Jerusalem, building a wall west of Gihon in the valley up to the Fish Gate, encircling Ophel to a great height, and appointing military captains in Judah's fortified cities, demonstrating his renewed leadership in securing the nation's physical safety as part of his spiritual reform and commitment to godly rule.