2 Kings 15:16-22

Easy-to-Read Version

Menahem’s Rule Over Israel

¹⁶ Menahem defeated Tiphsah and the area around it. The people refused to open the city gate for him. So Menahem defeated them and ripped open all the pregnant women in that city.

¹⁷ Menahem son of Gadi became king over Israel during the 39th year that Azariah was king of Judah. Menahem ruled ten years in Samaria. ¹⁸ Menahem did what the Lord said was wrong. He did not stop committing the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat who caused Israel to sin.

¹⁹ King Pul of Assyria came to fight against Israel. Menahem gave Pul 75,000 pounds^[a] of silver so that Pul would support him and help him gain complete control of the kingdom. ²⁰ Menahem raised the money by making all the rich and powerful men pay taxes. He taxed each man 20 ounces^[b] of silver and gave the money to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria left and did not stay there in Israel.

²¹ All the great things that Menahem did are written in the book, The History of the Kings of Israel. ²² Menahem died and was buried with his ancestors. His son Pekahiah became the new king after him.