In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah began Menahem the son of Gadi to reign over Israel Shallum reigning but one month, both their reigns began the same year.
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The rest of the events in Shallum’s reign, including his conspiracy, are recorded in
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At that time Menahem destroyed the town of Tappuah and all the surrounding countryside as far as Tirzah, because its citizens refused to surrender the town. He killed the entire population and ripped open the pregnant women.
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Menahem son of Gadi began to rule over Israel in the thirty-ninth year of King Uzziah’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria ten years.
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But Menahem did what was evil in the LORD ’s sight. During his entire reign, he refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit.
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Then King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria invaded the land. But Menahem paid him thirty-seven tons of silver to gain his support in tightening his grip on royal power.