Topical Encyclopedia Pekah, son of Remaliah, emerges in the biblical narrative as a significant military and political figure during a tumultuous period in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His account is primarily recorded in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, where he is depicted as a captain in the army of Israel who eventually usurps the throne.Background and Rise to Power Pekah's ascent to power is marked by intrigue and violence. As a captain in the army, he served under King Pekahiah, the son of Menahem. The biblical account in 2 Kings 15:25 details his conspiracy against Pekahiah: "Then Pekah son of Remaliah, one of his officers, conspired against him. Taking fifty men of Gilead with him, he assassinated Pekahiah, along with Argob and Arieh, in the citadel of the king’s palace at Samaria. So Pekah killed him and reigned in his place." This act of regicide highlights the instability and internal strife that plagued the Northern Kingdom during this era. Pekah's successful coup d'état allowed him to seize the throne, and he reigned as king over Israel for twenty years. Reign and Political Alliances Pekah's reign is characterized by his involvement in regional politics and alliances, particularly against the backdrop of the rising Assyrian threat. He is noted for forming an alliance with Rezin, king of Aram (Syria), in opposition to the Assyrian Empire. This coalition is mentioned in 2 Kings 15:37: "In those days the LORD began to send Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah against Judah." This alliance led to the Syro-Ephraimite War, where Pekah and Rezin sought to pressure King Ahaz of Judah into joining their coalition against Assyria. However, Ahaz, fearing their aggression, sought assistance from Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria, which ultimately led to the downfall of Pekah's ambitions. Downfall and Assassination Pekah's reign came to an abrupt end through assassination, a fate not uncommon among the kings of Israel during this period. The biblical narrative in 2 Kings 15:30 records his demise: "Then Hoshea son of Elah conspired against Pekah son of Remaliah. He attacked and killed him, and reigned in his place, in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah." Hoshea's assassination of Pekah marked another violent transition of power, reflecting the ongoing instability within the Northern Kingdom. This event also paved the way for Hoshea's reign, which would eventually lead to the fall of Samaria and the end of the Northern Kingdom at the hands of the Assyrians. Religious and Moral Evaluation From a religious perspective, Pekah's reign is evaluated negatively in the biblical text. Like many of the kings of Israel, he is criticized for perpetuating the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who led Israel into idolatry. 2 Kings 15:28 states, "And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit." Pekah's failure to lead the nation back to the worship of Yahweh and his involvement in idolatrous practices contributed to the spiritual decline of Israel, setting the stage for divine judgment and the eventual Assyrian conquest. Legacy Pekah's legacy is one of ambition and political maneuvering, set against the backdrop of a declining kingdom. His account serves as a reminder of the consequences of political intrigue, idolatry, and the failure to adhere to the covenantal relationship with God, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative of the kings of Israel. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 15:25But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room. Nave's Topical Index Library The Kingdom of Samaria. The Antiquities of the Jews Appendices Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Resources Who was King Pekah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Hoshea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was King Uzziah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Pekah is Plotted Against and Killed by Hoshea Pekah: Captain of the Army of Israel Pekah: Conspires Against and Assassinates King Pekahiah Pekah: Victorious in War With Judah Related Terms Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences) Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences) Tig'lath-pile'ser (3 Occurrences) Maher-shalal-hash-baz (2 Occurrences) Mahershalalhashbaz (2 Occurrences) Abel-beth-maachah (2 Occurrences) Abelbethmaachah (2 Occurrences) Abel-beth-maacah (2 Occurrences) |
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