2 Kings 15:19-20

19 ¹Pul^[a] the king of Assyria came against the land, and Menahem gave ²Pul a thousand talents^[b] of silver, that he might help him ³to confirm his hold on the royal power.

20 Menahem exacted the money from Israel, that is, from all the wealthy men, fifty shekels^[c] of silver from every man, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land.

2 Kings 15:19-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 15

This chapter begins with the reign of Azariah king of Judah, 2Ki 15:1-7, and then gives a short account of the several kings of Israel, to the last of them; of Zachariah, 2Ki 15:8-12, of Shallum, 2Ki 15:13,14,15 of Menahem, 2Ki 15:16-22 of Pekahiah, 2Ki 15:23-26, of Pekah, succeeded by Hoshea, the last of them, 2Ki 15:27-31, and is included with the reign of Jotham king of Judah, 2Ki 15:32-38.

Cross References

• 1. 15:19 1 Chr. 5:26
• 2. 15:19 1 Chr. 5:26
• 3. 15:19 [ch. 14:5]

Footnotes

• [a] 15:19 Another name for 'Tiglath-pileser III' (compare verse 29)
• [b] 15:19 A 'talent' was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms
• [c] 15:20 A 'shekel' was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams