Topical Encyclopedia Menahem, son of Gadi, was a king of Israel who reigned in the northern kingdom during the 8th century BC. His reign is recorded in the biblical narrative found in 2 Kings 15:14-22. Menahem's ascent to the throne was marked by violence and upheaval, as he came to power by assassinating Shallum son of Jabesh, who had himself assassinated King Zechariah, the last of Jehu's dynasty. This period was characterized by political instability and frequent changes in leadership.Menahem's reign lasted for ten years, and he ruled from the capital city of Samaria. His rule is noted for its brutality and oppressive measures. According to 2 Kings 15:16 , "At that time Menahem attacked Tiphsah, all who were in the city, and its territory from Tirzah, because they did not open their gates to him. So he attacked Tiphsah and ripped open all the pregnant women." This act of cruelty underscores the harshness of his reign and his determination to consolidate power through fear and force. During Menahem's reign, the Assyrian Empire was a dominant force in the region. To secure his position and the stability of his kingdom, Menahem paid tribute to the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III. As recorded in 2 Kings 15:19-20 , "Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom. Menahem 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." This tribute was a significant financial burden on the people of Israel and demonstrated Menahem's reliance on foreign powers to maintain his rule. Menahem's reign is not noted for any significant religious reforms or spiritual leadership. The biblical account does not mention any efforts to turn the people of Israel back to the worship of Yahweh or to remove the idolatrous practices that were prevalent in the northern kingdom. Instead, his reign is characterized by political maneuvering and the maintenance of power through alliances and tribute. Menahem was succeeded by his son Pekahiah, indicating that despite the turbulent nature of his rise to power, he was able to establish a brief dynastic succession. However, the lack of spiritual renewal and continued reliance on foreign powers set the stage for further decline in the northern kingdom, leading ultimately to its conquest by Assyria in 722 BC. The account of Menahem serves as a reminder of the consequences of leadership that prioritizes power and political expediency over faithfulness to God's covenant. His reign is a reflection of the broader spiritual and moral decline that plagued the northern kingdom of Israel during this period. Library The Kingdom of Samaria. The Old Testament and Archeology Thesaurus Menahem's (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance Menahem's (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 15:21 Now the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they ... /m/menahem's.htm - 6k Men'ahem (8 Occurrences) Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences) Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences) Menahethites (1 Occurrence) Warfare (18 Occurrences) War (529 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Menahem's (1 Occurrence)2 Kings 15:21 Subtopics Related Terms |
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