2 Kings 15 19

2 Kings 15:19 kjv

And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.

2 Kings 15:19 nkjv

Pul king of Assyria came against the land; and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to strengthen the kingdom under his control.

2 Kings 15:19 niv

Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave him a thousand talents of silver to gain his support and strengthen his own hold on the kingdom.

2 Kings 15:19 esv

Pul the king of Assyria came against the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that he might help him to confirm his hold on the royal power.

2 Kings 15:19 nlt

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.

2 Kings 15 verses

2 Kings 15 19 Meaning

This verse details a critical moment in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Menahem, the king of Israel, facing both internal strife and the encroaching power of the Assyrian Empire, paid an enormous tribute to Pul (Tiglath-Pileser III), the Assyrian monarch. This act of appeasement was intended to secure Assyrian military support and recognize Menahem's kingship, thereby confirming his fragile rule over Israel. It marks Israel's formal submission to Assyria and highlights their political instability and lack of trust in God.

2 Kings 15 19 Context

Chapter 15 of 2 Kings documents a period of severe instability and moral decline in both Israel and Judah. For the Northern Kingdom of Israel, it is characterized by rapid successions of kings, often through violent coups, indicating a profound spiritual and political breakdown. Menahem's ascent to the throne, mentioned briefly in 2 Kings 15:16, involved ruthless violence. This immediate verse (15:19) positions Menahem not as a leader trusting in the God of Israel for security but as one desperate to preserve his shaky throne by seeking the aid of the emerging superpower, Assyria. This decision has significant historical ramifications, signaling Israel's increasing subjugation to Assyrian dominance, a trajectory that would ultimately lead to its downfall and exile in 722 BC. The widespread idolatry and disobedience prevalent in Israel during this era (as detailed in 2 Ki 17) underpinned their internal weakness, making them vulnerable to foreign powers like Assyria, whom God would use as an instrument of judgment.

2 Kings 15 19 Word analysis

• Pul (פּוּל / Pūl): This is the name given in the Bible for the Assyrian King Tiglath-Pileser III. He was a highly influential and aggressive ruler who significantly expanded the Assyrian Empire through military campaigns, terror, and systematic annexation of territories, often forcing tribute from conquered or threatened nations. The biblical mention of his name is crucial as it corroborates extra-biblical Assyrian historical records, affirming the accuracy of the biblical narrative in a key historical event. His appearance signals a major shift in geopolitical power, marking the beginning of the end for Israel's independent existence.
• the king of Assyria: Emphasizes the dominant and threatening nature of this foreign power. Assyria represented a ruthless military machine and was, in the biblical understanding, an instrument of God's judgment against disobedient Israel. The title underlines the formidable power that Menahem felt compelled to appease.
• came against the land (בָּא בָּאָרֶץ / bā’ bā’āretz): This phrase suggests more than a casual visit. It implies a military incursion, an invasion, or at least a highly threatening military presence that put Menahem under immediate duress. It highlights the direct threat of military action that prompted Menahem's desperate response.
• Menahem (מְנַחֵם / Mənachēm): He was an Israelite king who seized power through assassination and violence. His name means "comforter," a stark contrast to his bloody methods and the devastating policies he pursued, such as the taxation imposed for the Assyrian tribute. His actions demonstrate a lack of spiritual discernment and a worldly reliance for maintaining power.
• gave Pul (וַיִּתֵּן פוּל / wayyittēn Pūl): This indicates a payment, a surrender, or an act of homage. It was not a voluntary gift but a demanded tribute or a desperate bribe. The verb "gave" carries the weight of a forced concession from a weaker party to a stronger one.
• a thousand talents of silver (אֶלֶף כִּכַּר כֶּסֶף / ‘elef kikkar késef): A colossal sum. A talent weighed approximately 75 pounds (about 34 kilograms), so 1,000 talents would be about 75,000 pounds (approximately 34 metric tons) of silver. This highlights the immense wealth exacted from Israel and the profound economic burden placed upon the nation, demonstrating the heavy cost of political insecurity and unfaithfulness. Such a large sum often necessitated a heavy tax, which 2 Kings 15:20 clarifies was levied on "all the wealthy men of Israel," a policy that would create internal resentment and further weaken the kingdom.
• that he might help him (לְחַזֵּק / ləḥazzēq, to strengthen or confirm): This reveals Menahem's primary motivation: to secure his illegitimate kingship. He sought strength and validation from a foreign, pagan power, rather than trusting in God to establish or sustain his rule. This represents a deep theological issue: Israel, God's covenant people, relying on an enemy of God to maintain order. It directly challenges the idea of God as Israel's true protector and King. This phrase carries a subtle polemic, implicitly criticizing the king's unfaithfulness.
• to confirm the kingdom in his hand: This phrase means to solidify his grasp on the throne and establish his authority. Menahem desired to legitimize his violent usurpation through external endorsement and military backing from Assyria, aiming for stability against internal challengers. This pursuit of earthly security at such a high price signifies a departure from the covenant promises, where God alone was to be Israel's fortress and deliverer. It foreshadows the consequences of such choices for Israel.

2 Kings 15 19 Bonus section

The presence of "Pul" as a name for Tiglath-Pileser III in this verse is significant. For centuries, critics sometimes pointed to this discrepancy in names, but archaeological discoveries, notably Tiglath-Pileser's own inscriptions, confirmed that "Pul" was his personal name before ascending to the throne, which he sometimes used alongside his throne name, or perhaps as a popular epithet in Israel. This convergence of biblical and Assyrian records provides strong historical external confirmation of the biblical account, reinforcing the reliability of the scriptural narrative. This act of tribute is recorded not only in the Bible but also in Assyrian records, marking the year 738 BC and solidifying Israel's status as a tribute-paying state. The "help" Menahem received from Pul included military assistance to quell internal resistance to his rule, confirming the "strengthening" of his kingdom meant solidifying his personal power by force and foreign intervention. This act stands in direct contrast to how a true king of Israel should govern—through righteousness and trust in Yahweh—and foreshadows the subsequent fall of the Northern Kingdom.

2 Kings 15 19 Commentary

2 Kings 15:19 serves as a critical historical and theological pivot, illustrating Israel's increasing moral decay and the consequences of their apostasy. Menahem's act of paying a colossal tribute to Pul of Assyria reveals the deep political insecurity plaguing the Northern Kingdom, directly stemming from its spiritual infidelity. Rather than turning to Yahweh for protection and stability, Menahem chose to align with a formidable, pagan power. This act was not merely a pragmatic diplomatic maneuver but a profound theological misstep, reflecting Israel's persistent failure to trust God's covenant promises. The tribute impoverished the nation and signaled Israel's effective subjugation, initiating a pathway that would lead to total conquest and exile. This episode stands as a stark biblical reminder that seeking security through worldly means, especially those that compromise faith, ultimately leads to greater vulnerability and divine judgment, confirming the futility of human alliances when estranged from God's guidance.