2 Kings 15:13-26
Menahem's Harsh Reign
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13In the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah’s reign over Judah, Shallum son of Jabesh became king, and he reigned in Samaria one full month.
14Then Menahem son of Gadi went up from Tirzah to Samaria, struck down and killed Shallum son of Jabesh, and reigned in his place.
15As for the rest of the acts of Shallum, along with the conspiracy he led, they are indeed written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.
16At that time Menahem, starting from Tirzah, attacked Tiphsah and everyone in its vicinity, because they would not open their gates. So he attacked Tiphsah and ripped open all the pregnant women.
17In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria ten years.
18And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and throughout his reign he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.
19Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver in order to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom.
20Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel—fifty shekels of silver from each man—to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land.
21As for the rest of the acts of Menahem, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?
22And Menahem rested with his fathers, and his son Pekahiah reigned in his place.
23In the fiftieth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel and reigned in Samaria two years.
24And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.
25Then his officer, Pekah son of Remaliah, conspired against him along with Argob, Arieh, and fifty men of Gilead. And at the citadel of the king’s palace in Samaria, Pekah struck down and killed Pekahiah and reigned in his place.
26As for the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, along with all his accomplishments, they are indeed written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Menahem kills Shallum and becomes king over Israel. When Tiphsah refuses to open its gates, Menahem attacks the city and tears open the pregnant women. The narrative records this atrocity without giving it a noble name or inviting the reader to admire the king's determination.
Pul king of Assyria comes against the land. Menahem gives Pul a thousand talents of silver so Pul will strengthen his hold on the kingdom. Menahem taxes the wealthy men of Israel, taking fifty shekels from each to pay the Assyrian king.
The wealthy men give the silver, and the king of Assyria withdraws. Menahem makes wealthy Israelites pay for Assyria's support of his throne. The invading army leaves, but that outcome does not make his rule good in the LORD's sight.
Menahem dies after a ten-year reign, and his son Pekahiah succeeds him. The narrator says Menahem did evil and did not turn away from Jeroboam's sins. Pekahiah also continues those sins. After two years, his officer Pekah kills him in the palace and takes the throne. A reign secured by killing ends with another generation facing the same violence.
Questions
1 What does Menahem do at Tiphsah?
AnswerWhen Tiphsah will not open its gates, Menahem attacks the city and commits terrible violence against its people.
2 Who comes against Israel?
AnswerPul king of Assyria comes against Israel during Menahem's reign and receives tribute from Menahem.
3 How does Menahem pay Pul?
AnswerMenahem taxes Israel's wealthy men fifty shekels each to provide the thousand talents of silver.
4 What evaluation does the narrator give Menahem?
AnswerThe narrator says Menahem did evil and continued the sins of Jeroboam throughout his reign.
What This Means for Us
Menahem gets what he wants: a throne, a defeated city, and Assyria's support. Kings still calls his reign evil. God's judgment does not depend on whether a ruler achieves his goals.
That matters wherever we have authority. A parent can win an argument by frightening a child; an older sibling can get cooperation by threatening a younger one. Getting our way does not justify cruelty. We need to listen to those affected by our decisions and stop excusing harm because it produces the result we want.
Prayer
God of justice, protect people living under cruel rulers. When we have power over someone, keep us from using fear to get our way. Help us hear the people we have hurt, admit wrong, and treat them with care. Amen.
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