Pekah, the son of Remaliah, was a significant figure in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, serving as its king during a tumultuous period. His reign is recorded in the biblical books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, providing insight into the political and spiritual climate of Israel during his time.

Background and Ascension to the Throne

Pekah was originally a captain in the army of King Pekahiah, the son of Menahem. In a dramatic coup, Pekah conspired against Pekahiah and assassinated him in the citadel of the king's house in Samaria, taking the throne for himself. This event is detailed in 2 Kings 15:25: "Then Pekah son of Remaliah, his officer, conspired against him and struck him down in Samaria, in the citadel of the king’s palace, along with Argob and Arieh. With him were fifty men of Gilead, and he killed Pekahiah and reigned in his place."

Reign and Political Alliances

Pekah reigned over Israel for twenty years, from approximately 752 to 732 BC. His reign was marked by significant political alliances and conflicts. One of the most notable alliances was with Rezin, the king of Aram (Syria), as they sought to resist the expanding Assyrian Empire. This coalition is mentioned in Isaiah 7:1: "Now it came to pass in the days of Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but they could not overpower it."

Pekah's alliance with Rezin led to the Syro-Ephraimite War against the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This conflict was an attempt to force Judah into joining their coalition against Assyria. However, King Ahaz of Judah sought assistance from Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria, which resulted in a devastating response against Israel and Aram.

Downfall and Assyrian Invasion

The Assyrian intervention had dire consequences for Pekah's kingdom. Tiglath-Pileser III captured several territories of Israel, including Galilee and Gilead, and deported many Israelites to Assyria. This is recorded in 2 Kings 15:29: "In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee—all the land of Naphtali—and he deported the people to Assyria."

Pekah's reign came to an end through assassination, similar to how he had seized power. Hoshea, the son of Elah, conspired against him and killed him, taking the throne of Israel. This is noted in 2 Kings 15:30: "Then Hoshea son of Elah conspired against Pekah son of Remaliah, attacked and killed him, and reigned in his place in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah."

Religious Context

Pekah's reign, like many of the kings of Israel, was characterized by idolatry and a departure from the worship of Yahweh. The biblical narrative often highlights the spiritual decline of Israel during this period, as the people continued to engage in practices that were contrary to the covenant established with God. The prophets, including Isaiah and Hosea, spoke against the idolatry and moral decay of the time, calling the people to repentance and faithfulness to God.

Pekah's account serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between political power, religious faithfulness, and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. His reign is a significant chapter in the history of Israel, illustrating the challenges and judgments faced by the nation during the era of the divided kingdom.

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... by the Syrian princes, by Menahem and Rezin II--- Second campaign against the
Medes"Invasion of Urartu and end of its supremacy"Alliance of Pekah and Rezin ...
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Pekah's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pekah's (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 15:31 Now the rest
of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they ...
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Pekahiah's (1 Occurrence)

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Pekod (2 Occurrences)

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Argob (6 Occurrences)
... The context deals with Pekah's conspiracy against Pekahiah; but it is not clear,
owing to the state of the text, whether Argob and his associate Arieh (if ...
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Who was King Pekah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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