Pekahiah, the son of Menahem, was the eighteenth 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 ruled for a brief period of two years, approximately from 742 to 740 BC.

Reign and Political Context

Pekahiah's reign occurred during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, marked by political instability and external threats. The kingdom of Israel was under the shadow of the expanding Assyrian Empire, which exerted significant influence over the region. Menahem, Pekahiah's father, had previously submitted to Assyrian dominance, paying tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria, to secure his rule (2 Kings 15:19-20).

Religious Practices

The biblical account in 2 Kings 15:24 notes that Pekahiah continued in the sinful practices of his predecessors, specifically mentioning that "he did evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit." This reference to Jeroboam's sins highlights the ongoing idolatry and false worship that plagued the northern kingdom, as Jeroboam had established golden calves in Bethel and Dan to prevent the Israelites from worshiping in Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:28-30).

Assassination and Downfall

Pekahiah's reign was abruptly ended by a conspiracy led by one of his own military officers, Pekah son of Remaliah. The biblical text in 2 Kings 15:25 states, "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 coup reflects the internal strife and power struggles that were prevalent in Israel during this period. Pekah's successful assassination of Pekahiah and subsequent ascension to the throne further destabilized the kingdom, leading to continued conflict and eventual downfall at the hands of the Assyrians.

Legacy

Pekahiah's brief and troubled reign is a testament to the challenges faced by the kings of Israel during a time of spiritual decline and political vulnerability. His failure to depart from the idolatrous practices of his forebears and his assassination by a rival underscore the pervasive instability that characterized the northern kingdom in its final decades. The narrative of Pekahiah serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from the covenantal relationship with God, as outlined in the Hebrew Scriptures.Pekahi'ah (3 Occurrences)

2 Kings 15:22
And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 15:23
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.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 15:26
Now the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
(See RSV)

Pekahi'ah (3 Occurrences)
Pekahi'ah. Pekahiah, Pekahi'ah. Pekahiah's . Multi-Version Concordance
Pekahi'ah (3 Occurrences). 2 Kings 15:22 And Menahem slept ...
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Pekahiah (4 Occurrences)

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Pekahiah's (1 Occurrence)

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