Pekah Slays Pekahiah

The King of Israel is Assassinated by One of his Soldiers

When Pul (Tiglath Pileser) came to power heavy taxes were being required of Israel's people, and as was the pattern there was an uprising in the land. The leader of the revolt was a captain in his army named Pekah, who rose up and slew Menahem�s son, Pekahiah, and seized the throne.

2 Kings 15:23 - In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, [and reigned] two years. 24 - And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 25 - But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.

The annals of Assyria reads:

"I received tribute from Menahem of Samaria�Like a bird, alone he fled and submitted to me."

King Menahem of Israel gathered this huge sum of money by collecting it from 60,000 of his wealthiest citizens, 50 shekels each. This intense taxation was enough money to buy a small home with a parcel of land.

See Map of Israel

2 Kings 15:19 [And] Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. ate the area. The prophet Amos wrote some powerful words in " fallen is the virgin of Israel".