2 Kings 15:16–22

¹⁶As Menahem was on his way from Tirzah, he completely destroyed the city of Tappuah,^g its inhabitants, and the surrounding territory, because the city did not surrender to him. He even ripped open the bellies of all the pregnant women.

King Menahem of Israel

¹⁷In the 39th year of the reign of King Uzziah of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for ten years. ¹⁸He sinned against the Lord, for until the day of his death he followed the wicked example of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, who led Israel into sin till the day of his death. ¹⁹Tiglath Pileser, the emperor of Assyria, invaded Israel, and Menahem gave him 34,000 kilogrammes of silver to gain his support in strengthening Menahem’s power over the country. ²⁰Menahem got the money from the rich men of Israel by forcing each one to contribute 50 pieces of silver. So Tiglath Pileser went back to his own country.

²¹Everything else that Menahem did is recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel. ²²He died and was buried, and his son Pekahiah succeeded him as king.