Historical Context:
Tiglath-Pileser III, also known as Pul, was a prominent king of Assyria who reigned from 745 to 727 BC. His reign marked a period of significant expansion and consolidation of the Assyrian Empire, characterized by military campaigns and strategic alliances. Tiglath-Pileser III is noted for his administrative reforms and military prowess, which strengthened Assyria's dominance in the ancient Near East.

Biblical Account:
The biblical narrative concerning Tiglath-Pileser III is primarily found in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. His interactions with the Kingdom of Judah and the Kingdom of Israel are significant in understanding the geopolitical landscape of the region during the 8th century BC.

Alliance with Ahaz:
The alliance between Tiglath-Pileser III and Ahaz, king of Judah, is a pivotal event recorded in 2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28. Facing threats from Rezin, king of Aram (Syria), and Pekah, son of Remaliah, king of Israel, Ahaz sought the assistance of the Assyrian king. In 2 Kings 16:7-8 , Ahaz sends messengers to Tiglath-Pileser, saying, "I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hand of the king of Aram and the king of Israel, who are rising up against me." Ahaz sent silver and gold from the temple and royal treasury as tribute to secure Tiglath-Pileser's support.

Capture of Damascus:
Responding to Ahaz's plea, Tiglath-Pileser III launched a campaign against Damascus, the capital of Aram. The biblical account in 2 Kings 16:9 states, "So the king of Assyria complied with him. The king of Assyria marched up to Damascus, captured it, and exiled its people to Kir. He also put Rezin to death." This military action effectively neutralized the threat posed by Rezin and solidified Assyrian influence over the region.

Impact on Israel and Judah:
The alliance with Tiglath-Pileser III had significant implications for both Israel and Judah. For Judah, the alliance provided temporary relief from the immediate threat of invasion by Aram and Israel. However, it also marked the beginning of Judah's subservience to Assyria, as Ahaz adopted Assyrian religious practices and altered the temple in Jerusalem to accommodate Assyrian worship, as noted in 2 Kings 16:10-18.

For the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser's campaigns resulted in the loss of territories and the deportation of its people. In 2 Kings 15:29 , it is recorded that Tiglath-Pileser captured several cities in Israel, including Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, and Hazor, and carried the inhabitants into exile.

Theological Significance:
From a theological perspective, the events involving Tiglath-Pileser III highlight themes of divine judgment and reliance on foreign powers. The alliance with Assyria, while providing short-term security, ultimately led to spiritual compromise and increased vulnerability for Judah. The biblical narrative underscores the consequences of forsaking reliance on God in favor of political alliances with pagan nations.2 Kings 16:7-10
So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I am your servant and your son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.
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2 Chronicles 28:19-21
For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the LORD.
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