2 Kings 15:16–22

Israel’s King Menahem

¹⁶At that time, starting from Tirzah, Menahem attacked Tiphsah, ^gall who were in it, and its territory. Because they wouldn’t surrender, ^hhe attacked it and ripped open all the pregnant women. ⁱ

¹⁷In the thirty-ninth year of Judah’s King Azariah, Menahem son of Gadi became king over Israel and reigned 10 years in Samaria. ¹⁸He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. Throughout his reign, he did not turn away from the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. ^j

¹⁹Pul ^klking of Assyria invaded the land, so Menahem gave Pul 75,000 pounds ^mof silver so that Pul would support him to strengthen his grip on the kingdom. ⁿ²⁰Then Menahem exacted 20 ounces ^oof silver from each of the wealthy men of Israel to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not stay there in the land. ^p

²¹The rest of the events of Menahem’s reign, along with all his accomplishments, are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings. ²²Menahem rested with his fathers, and his son Pekahiah became king in his place. ^q