What happensPermalink
During the long reign of Azariah (Uzziah) of Judah, he becomes a leper and his son Jotham governs in his place until succeeding him as king. In Israel, Jeroboam II’s son Zechariah is assassinated after six months by Shallum, who is assassinated a month later by Menahem. After Menahem’s death his son Pekahiah reigns only two years before being murdered by Pekah. During Pekah’s reign, Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria conquers large portions of Israel and carries many Israelites into exile. Pekah and Rezin of Syria attack Judah.
Why it mattersPermalink
With Zechariah’s death, the four-generation dynasty promised to Jehu ends, and Israel rapidly descends into coups, instability, and foreign domination. Assyria’s rising power strips away Israel’s territory and population, beginning the process that will eventually destroy the kingdom. Meanwhile Judah continues under the Davidic line, though the threat from Israel and Syria signals growing regional turmoil.
Key versePermalink
In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and he carried the people captive to Assyria.