Menahem

Menahem son of Gadi reigns ten years over the northern kingdom after seizing the throne by force. His record is one of usurpation, brutality against a rebellious city, tribute to Assyria, and continued idolatry in the line of Jeroboam.

Seizing the throne from Shallum

Shallum's reign is brief: "Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned the space of a month in Samaria" (2 Kings 15:13). Menahem ends it from Tirzah: "And Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and struck Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead" (2 Kings 15:14).

The destruction of Tiphsah

The first act recorded after his accession is a brutal reprisal against a town that refused to open to him: "Then Menahem struck Tiphsah, and all who were in it, and its borders, from Tirzah: because they did not open to him, therefore he struck it; and all the women in it who were pregnant he ripped up" (2 Kings 15:16).

Length and verdict of his reign

The reign is dated and judged in the standard formula of Kings: "In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem the son of Gadi began to reign over Israel, [and reigned] ten years in Samaria. And he did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh: he did not depart all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin" (2 Kings 15:17-18).

Tribute to Pul of Assyria

When the Assyrian king arrives, Menahem buys him off rather than fight: "There came against the land Pul the king of Assyria; and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. And Menahem exacted the silver of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and didn't remain there in the land" (2 Kings 15:19-20). The tribute consolidates Menahem's hold but at the cost of taxing the wealthy of Israel and inviting Assyrian interest in the kingdom.

Closing notice

The reign ends without violence: "Now the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead" (2 Kings 15:21-22). He is one of the few of Israel's later kings to die in his bed and pass the throne to a son, though that son's reign will itself be cut short.