Topical Bible: Conspiracy: Pekahiah

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Pekahiah, the son of Menahem, was a king of Israel who reigned in Samaria for a brief period during the 8th century BC. His reign is noted for its brevity and the violent conspiracy that led to his assassination. Pekahiah's account is recorded in the historical narrative of the Book of 2 Kings, which provides insight into the turbulent political climate of the Northern Kingdom of Israel during this era.

Pekahiah ascended to the throne following the death of his father, Menahem, who had secured his rule through a combination of political maneuvering and tribute to the Assyrian Empire. Menahem's reign was marked by his efforts to stabilize the kingdom through alliances and heavy taxation, which he used to pay tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria. This policy of appeasement, however, did not secure long-term peace or stability for Israel.

The account of Pekahiah's reign is found in 2 Kings 15:23-26. The Berean Standard Bible states: "In the fiftieth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria two years. And 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."

Pekahiah's reign was characterized by the continuation of idolatrous practices that had been established by Jeroboam I, the first king of the Northern Kingdom. These practices included the worship of golden calves and other forms of idolatry, which were in direct violation of the covenantal laws given to Israel. The spiritual decline of the nation under Pekahiah's rule contributed to the unrest and dissatisfaction among the people and the military.

The conspiracy against Pekahiah was led by one of his own military officers, Pekah son of Remaliah. The BSB records: "Then Pekah son of Remaliah, one of his chief officers, conspired against him. Taking fifty men of Gilead with him, he assassinated Pekahiah, along with Argob and Arieh, in the citadel of the king’s palace at Samaria. So Pekah killed Pekahiah and reigned in his place" (2 Kings 15:25).

This act of treachery highlights the instability and internal strife that plagued the Northern Kingdom during this period. Pekah's successful coup was indicative of the broader pattern of political assassinations and power struggles that characterized the history of Israel's monarchy. The assassination of Pekahiah and the rise of Pekah further weakened the kingdom, making it more vulnerable to external threats, particularly from the Assyrian Empire.

Pekahiah's brief and tumultuous reign serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from the covenantal relationship with God. The political and spiritual decline of Israel during this time set the stage for the eventual fall of the Northern Kingdom to Assyria in 722 BC. The narrative of Pekahiah's conspiracy underscores the biblical theme of divine justice and the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments.

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2 Kings 15:23-25
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.
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Library

The Antiquities of the Jews
... How Zachariah Shallum, Menahem Pekahiah And Pekah Took The Government Over The
Israelites ... Ten Men Of The Citizens [Of Jerusalem] Made A Conspiracy Against Herod ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... the part taken by Nathan in the conspiracy which raised Solomon to the throne (1
Kings 1:8, et seq.), and previous to this in the story of David's amour with ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm