Topical Bible: Citizens: Wicked: Shallum

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Shallum, a figure in the Old Testament, is noted for his brief and tumultuous reign as king of Israel. His account is a cautionary tale of wickedness and the consequences of usurping power through treachery. Shallum's actions and their aftermath are recorded in the historical narrative of the Kings of Israel, providing insight into the moral and spiritual decline that characterized the Northern Kingdom during this period.

Background and Reign

Shallum, the son of Jabesh, emerged during a time of political instability in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He is most infamously known for assassinating King Zechariah, the son of Jeroboam II, thereby ending the dynasty of Jehu. This act of treachery is recorded in 2 Kings 15:10 : "Then Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah, struck him down in front of the people, and killed him. And he reigned in his place."

Shallum's reign was exceedingly short, lasting only one month. His usurpation of the throne through murder exemplifies the wickedness and moral decay prevalent among the leaders of Israel at the time. The brevity of his rule is a testament to the instability and divine disfavor that plagued the kingdom due to its persistent idolatry and departure from the covenant with God.

Divine Judgment and Downfall

The swift end of Shallum's reign is indicative of divine judgment against his wickedness. Menahem, another ambitious leader, rose against Shallum and killed him, seizing the throne for himself. This event is chronicled in 2 Kings 15:14 : "Then Menahem son of Gadi went up from Tirzah to Samaria and struck down Shallum son of Jabesh there. He killed him and reigned in his place."

Shallum's assassination and the subsequent rise of Menahem highlight the chaotic and violent nature of Israel's leadership during this era. The cycle of conspiracy and murder among the kings of Israel underscores the nation's departure from God's commandments and the resulting societal breakdown.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The account of Shallum serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of wickedness and the rejection of divine authority. His brief and violent reign illustrates the futility of seeking power through unrighteous means. The instability that characterized his time as king reflects the broader spiritual decline of Israel, which ultimately led to the nation's downfall and exile.

In the broader biblical narrative, Shallum's account is a part of the prophetic warnings delivered by God's messengers, who called the people of Israel to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness. The wickedness of leaders like Shallum is contrasted with the ideal of righteous leadership that honors God and upholds justice and mercy.

Conclusion

While Shallum's reign was short-lived, his actions and their consequences are preserved in Scripture as a warning against the perils of wickedness and the importance of adhering to God's righteous standards. His account is a testament to the truth that, despite human attempts to seize power through unrighteous means, divine justice ultimately prevails.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 15:10
And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

How Zachariah Shallum, Menahem Pekahiah and Pekah Took the ...
... to Samaria, and joining battle with Shallum, slew him ... came to the city Tiphsah; but
the citizens that were ... government twenty years, and proved a wicked man and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how zachariah shallum.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... As Also What He Did For The Punishment Of The Wicked. ... How Zachariah Shallum, Menahem
Pekahiah And Pekah Took The ... Of The Jews And Made Them Citizens Of Those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum; 2, Chron ... decree of Persia's King, which
wicked Hannan had ... citizens of the United States, after plundering Mexico of ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... to the good government of its rulers and the industry of its citizens, had amassed ...
and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling-blocks with the wicked; and I ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm