Menahem King of Israel

17 In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria ten years. 18 He did evil(A) in the eyes of the Lord. During his entire reign he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.

19 Then Pul[a](B) king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave him a thousand talents[b] of silver to gain his support and strengthen his own hold on the kingdom. 20 Menahem exacted this money from Israel. Every wealthy person had to contribute fifty shekels[c] of silver to be given to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew(C) and stayed in the land no longer.

21 As for the other events of Menahem’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Kings 15:19 Also called Tiglath-Pileser
  2. 2 Kings 15:19 That is, about 38 tons or about 34 metric tons
  3. 2 Kings 15:20 That is, about 1 1/4 pounds or about 575 grams

17 In the thirty-ninth year of Judah’s King Azariah, Menahem son of Gadi became king over Israel and reigned 10 years in Samaria. 18 He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. Throughout his reign, he did not turn away from the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.(A)

19 Pul[a](B) king of Assyria invaded the land, so Menahem gave Pul 75,000 pounds[b] of silver so that Pul would support him to strengthen his grip on the kingdom.(C) 20 Then Menahem exacted 20 ounces[c] of silver from each of the wealthy men of Israel to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not stay there in the land.(D)

21 The rest of the events of Menahem’s reign, along with all his accomplishments, are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Kings 15:19 = Tiglath-pileser
  2. 2 Kings 15:19 Lit 1,000 talents
  3. 2 Kings 15:20 Lit 50 shekels