Topical Encyclopedia Pekah, son of Remaliah, was the 18th king of the northern kingdom of Israel, reigning from approximately 752 to 732 BC. His ascent to the throne was marked by intrigue and violence, as he assassinated King Pekahiah to seize power (2 Kings 15:25). Pekah's reign is noted for its military endeavors and alliances, particularly his conflict with the southern kingdom of Judah.Pekah's most significant military campaign was his alliance with Rezin, king of Aram (Syria), against Ahaz, king of Judah. This coalition aimed to pressure Judah into joining a larger anti-Assyrian alliance. The biblical account in 2 Kings 16:5 states, "Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war; they besieged Ahaz but could not overpower him." Despite their inability to capture Jerusalem, Pekah's forces inflicted significant damage on Judah. The prophet Isaiah provides further insight into this period, as he was active during the reign of Ahaz. Isaiah 7:1-9 records the fear and anxiety that gripped Judah due to the threat posed by Pekah and Rezin. The Lord, through Isaiah, reassured Ahaz that the plans of Pekah and Rezin would not succeed, emphasizing divine sovereignty over the political machinations of the time. Pekah's campaign against Judah is also detailed in 2 Chronicles 28:5-8, which describes a devastating defeat for Judah. "Therefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Aram, who defeated him and carried away a great number of his people as captives, bringing them to Damascus. He was also given into the hand of the king of Israel, who inflicted heavy casualties on him." The passage notes that Pekah killed 120,000 valiant men in Judah in one day and took 200,000 captives, along with much spoil, to Samaria. Despite his military success, Pekah's reign was ultimately unstable. His alliance with Rezin and opposition to Assyria drew the ire of the Assyrian empire. Tiglath-Pileser III, the Assyrian king, responded by capturing significant territories in Israel, including Galilee and Gilead, and deporting many Israelites (2 Kings 15:29). This weakened Pekah's position and led to his assassination by Hoshea, who would become the last king of Israel (2 Kings 15:30). Pekah's reign is a testament to the turbulent political landscape of the ancient Near East, where shifting alliances and military campaigns were common. His temporary victory over Judah highlights the ongoing conflict between the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, as well as the broader geopolitical struggles involving Assyria and neighboring states. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 28:5,6Why the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter. Nave's Topical Index Library Sennacherib (705-681 BC ) Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Appendices 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 |
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