The Last Days of Israel

Jeroboam's son Zechariah only reigned for six months before he was killed by Shallum, bringing to an end the dynasty of Jehu (2 Kgs. 15: 10 ). After a month's reign, Shallum was struck down in Samaria by Menahem of Tirzah (2 Kgs. 15: 14 ). Menahem sacked Tappuah (Tiphsah) and its territory ‘from Tirzah on’ (2 Kgs. 15: 16 ). It is in his reign that we are told that the Assyrian king Tiglath‐pileser III (Pul) came against Israel. Menahem gave money to Tiglath‐pileser to help confirm his kingship (2 Kgs. 15: 19 ). The Assyrian threat was becoming a reality. After a reign of only two years, Menahem's son Pekahiah was killed by his captain, Pekah, in Samaria (2 Kgs. 15: 23–6 ). Pekah of Israel and Rezin of Damascus conspired against Ahaz, who had become king of Judah, and attacked Jerusalem. At the same time the Edomites are said to have recaptured Elath (2 Kgs. 16: 5 ). Under this pressure from various quarters, Ahaz appealed to Tiglath‐pileser for aid, sending him silver, gold, and other treasures (2 Kgs. 16: 7–8 ). Tiglath‐pileser took Damascus, and also Ijon, Abel‐beth‐maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, and made all of these conquered territories into Assyrian provinces (2 Kgs. 15: 29; 16: 9 ). Subsequently Pekah's successor Hoshea rebelled against Assyria, so Shalmaneser V came and captured Samaria in 722, though his successor Sargon also claimed the credit for the capture of Samaria.