Topical Encyclopedia Pekahiah, son of Menahem, was a king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign is recorded in the biblical narrative found in 2 Kings 15:22-26. Pekahiah ascended to the throne following the death of his father, Menahem, and his rule is noted to have lasted for two years, around 742-740 BC.Background and Reign Pekahiah's father, Menahem, had secured the throne through a violent coup and maintained his rule by paying tribute to the Assyrian king, Tiglath-Pileser III. This political maneuvering allowed Menahem to stabilize his reign, albeit under the shadow of Assyrian dominance. Upon Menahem's death, Pekahiah inherited a kingdom that was already under significant foreign influence. The biblical account in 2 Kings 15:23-24 provides a brief overview of Pekahiah's reign: "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 is 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. Assassination and Political Turmoil Pekahiah's short reign came to an abrupt end through assassination, a common occurrence in the turbulent history of the northern kingdom. The biblical narrative in 2 Kings 15:25 details the conspiracy against him: "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 him and reigned in his place." Pekah, who succeeded Pekahiah, was one of his military leaders. The assassination reflects the instability and internal strife that plagued the northern kingdom during this period. Pekah's coup was part of a broader pattern of political upheaval and violence that characterized the final decades of Israel's existence before its eventual conquest by Assyria. Religious and Historical Context Pekahiah's reign, though brief, is significant in the broader narrative of Israel's decline. The continued idolatry and failure to adhere to the covenant with Yahweh are recurring themes in the accounts of the kings of Israel. These actions are consistently portrayed as leading to divine judgment and the eventual downfall of the kingdom. The historical context of Pekahiah's reign is marked by the growing threat of Assyrian expansion. The northern kingdom's political alliances and internal divisions made it vulnerable to external pressures, culminating in its eventual fall in 722 BC. Pekahiah's account serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from the covenantal relationship with God, as emphasized throughout the biblical narrative. His reign, though short-lived, is a part of the larger tapestry of Israel's history, illustrating the challenges and failures of leadership in a time of national crisis. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 15:22-26And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead. Nave's Topical Index Library How Zachariah Shallum, Menahem Pekahiah and Pekah Took the ... The Assyrian Captivity Kings The Prophet Hosea. The Antiquities of the Jews The Old Testament and Archeology The Kingdom of Samaria. Hosea Appendices Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Resources What was the sin of Jeroboam? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Uzziah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was King Pekah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |