2 Kings 15:8-22

Zechariah son of Jeroboam was king over Israel in Samaria. He ruled for six months during Uzziah’s thirty-eighth year as king of Judah. Zechariah did what the LORD said was wrong, just as his ancestors had done. Jeroboam son of Nebat had led the people of Israel to sin, and Zechariah did not stop doing the same sins. Shallum son of Jabesh made plans against Zechariah and killed him in front of the people. Then Shallum became king in his place. The other acts of Zechariah are written in the book of the history of the kings of Israel. The LORD had told Jehu: “Your sons down to your great-great-grandchildren will be kings of Israel,” and the LORD’s word came true. Shallum son of Jabesh became king during Uzziah’s thirty-ninth year as king of Judah. Shallum ruled for a month in Samaria. Then Menahem son of Gadi came up from Tirzah to Samaria and attacked Shallum son of Jabesh in Samaria. He killed him and became king in Shallum’s place. The other acts of Shallum and his secret plans are written in the book of the history of the kings of Israel. Menahem started out from Tirzah and attacked Tiphsah, destroying the city and the area nearby. This was because the people had refused to open the city gate for him. He defeated them and ripped open all their pregnant women. Menahem son of Gadi became king over Israel during Uzziah’s thirty-ninth year as king of Judah. Menahem ruled ten years in Samaria, and he did what the LORD said was wrong. Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to sin, and all the time Menahem was king, he did not stop doing the same sins. Pul king of Assyria came to attack the land. Menahem gave him about seventy-four thousand pounds of silver so Pul would support him and make his hold on the kingdom stronger. Menahem taxed Israel to pay about one and one-fourth pounds of silver to each soldier of the king of Assyria. So the king left and did not stay in the land. Everything else Menahem did is written in the book of the history of the kings of Israel. Then Menahem died, and his son Pekahiah became king in his place.