Historical Context:
Assyria, an ancient Mesopotamian empire, played a significant role in the biblical narrative, particularly during the period of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The Assyrian Empire, known for its military prowess and expansionist policies, often interacted with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, sometimes as a threat and other times as a political ally.

Pul, King of Assyria:
Pul, also known as Tiglath-Pileser III, was a prominent king of Assyria who reigned from approximately 745 to 727 BC. His reign marked a period of significant expansion and consolidation of the Assyrian Empire. Pul is noted for his administrative reforms and military campaigns, which extended Assyrian influence across the Near East.

Biblical Account:
The biblical narrative mentions Pul in the context of the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of Menahem. Menahem, who ruled Israel from approximately 752 to 742 BC, faced the threat of Assyrian aggression under Pul. The account is recorded in 2 Kings 15:19-20:

"Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom. Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel—fifty shekels of silver from each man—to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land."

Analysis:
Menahem's decision to pay tribute to Pul reflects the political realities of the time. The Northern Kingdom of Israel, under constant threat from surrounding nations, often found itself in a precarious position. By paying a substantial tribute to Pul, Menahem sought to secure his reign and protect his kingdom from Assyrian conquest. This act of diplomacy, while costly, temporarily averted the immediate threat of invasion.

The tribute of a thousand talents of silver was a significant sum, indicating the wealth and resources that Menahem was willing to expend to maintain his rule. The levy on the wealthy men of Israel suggests a burden placed on the upper echelons of society, highlighting the socio-economic dynamics within the kingdom.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the interaction between Menahem and Pul underscores the recurring theme of reliance on foreign powers rather than on God. The kings of Israel and Judah often turned to political alliances and tributes to secure their positions, rather than seeking divine guidance and protection. This reliance on human solutions is frequently critiqued by the prophets, who called the people back to faithfulness and trust in God.

The account of Menahem and Pul serves as a reminder of the complexities of leadership and the challenges faced by the kings of Israel in navigating the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East. It also illustrates the broader narrative of Israel's struggle with faithfulness and the consequences of their political and spiritual decisions.2 Kings 15:19,20
And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Assyrian Captivity
... In judgment the Lord remembered mercy, and at first, when "Pul the king of Assyria
came against the land," Menahem, then king of Israel, was not taken ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... by the Israelitish chronicler as having been given to Pul. The Assyrian king was
now free to turn the full ... and so securing the lowlands of Assyria from their ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Prophet Hosea.
... and at another time to Assyria to assist ... the catastrophe was already preparing which
brought the kingdom ... He became tributary to the Assyrian king Pul, vers.19 ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... And Pekah Took The Government Over The Israelites; And How Pul And Tiglath ... Pekah
King Of Israel, Made War; And How Tiglath-Pileser, King Of Assyria Came To ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Appendices
... 771 Assur-nirari 753 Pulu (Pul), usurper, takes the name ... 850 Jehu 842 He pays tribute
to Assyria 841 Jehoanaz ... of Egypt; Ramessu Mi-Amun, the great king of Egypt ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... or Moab, or even the veterans of Egypt and Assyria. ... Taking the tribute paid by Menahem
to Pul (2 Kings ... numbered 60,000 in the time of that king; all others ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Assyrians in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why were infants dashed to pieces (Nahum 3:10)? | GotQuestions.org

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