Ezekiel 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.
Thus, rather than let them live, and continue over -filling their account in the books of record He brings an end to their existence, thus mercifully shortening the time they would have to spend in the fires of hell down the road. It is always from a perspective of mercy.
Again, it was from the viewpoint of mercy, why God did not bring the last plague on Egypt first, for if He were to do this, then pharaoh would have gotten the message loud and clear. But God gives the king time to consider and rethink his position, if haply there might be a change of course.
Thus, in reading, and studying the scriptures, God’s mercy is a given, that must be juxtaposed with any and everything He does even at times when He may not give historical context, explanations, or reasons. There are times, when like with Manasseh, the Bible reveals to us that God pleaded with that stubborn king, year after year, even sending His servants, and prophets to warn him of his course of action.
Ecclesiastes 11:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!