Topical Encyclopedia The regicide of Pekahiah, an event recorded in the Old Testament, marks a significant moment in the tumultuous history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Pekahiah, the son of Menahem, ascended to the throne of Israel following his father's death. His reign, however, was short-lived, lasting only two years (circa 742-740 BC), as documented in 2 Kings 15:23-26.Pekahiah's rule is characterized by the continuation of the idolatrous practices that plagued Israel during the era of the divided monarchy. The biblical narrative in 2 Kings 15:24 states, "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." This persistent idolatry and disobedience to the covenantal laws of Yahweh set the stage for political instability and divine judgment. The regicide itself was orchestrated by Pekah, son of Remaliah, a military officer who conspired against Pekahiah. The account in 2 Kings 15:25 provides a succinct description of the coup: "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." This violent overthrow reflects the broader pattern of political intrigue and assassination that characterized the Northern Kingdom during this period. The instability was often a consequence of the spiritual apostasy that had taken root in Israel, as leaders and people alike turned away from the worship of Yahweh. Pekah's rise to power through regicide did not bring about the desired stability or reform. Instead, his reign continued the cycle of idolatry and disobedience, ultimately leading to further divine judgment upon Israel. The prophetic voices of the time, such as Hosea and Amos, had already warned of the impending consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness, and the regicide of Pekahiah served as a stark reminder of the nation's spiritual and political decline. The regicide of Pekahiah is a poignant example of the consequences of forsaking the covenant with God, illustrating the biblical principle that leadership and national stability are intrinsically linked to faithfulness to God's commandments. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 15:25But 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. Nave's Topical Index Library The Prophet Hosea. Resources Who was King Uzziah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Pekah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |