2 Kings 15:25 kjv
But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
2 Kings 15:25 nkjv
Then Pekah the son of Remaliah, an officer of his, conspired against him and killed him in Samaria, in the citadel of the king's house, along with Argob and Arieh; and with him were fifty men of Gilead. He killed him and reigned in his place.
2 Kings 15:25 niv
One of his chief officers, Pekah son of Remaliah, conspired against him. Taking fifty men of Gilead with him, he assassinated Pekahiah, along with Argob and Arieh, in the citadel of the royal palace at Samaria. So Pekah killed Pekahiah and succeeded him as king.
2 Kings 15:25 esv
And Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him with fifty men of the people of Gilead, and struck him down in Samaria, in the citadel of the king's house with Argob and Arieh; he put him to death and reigned in his place.
2 Kings 15:25 nlt
Then Pekah son of Remaliah, the commander of Pekahiah's army, conspired against him. With fifty men from Gilead, Pekah assassinated the king, along with Argob and Arieh, in the citadel of the palace at Samaria. And Pekah reigned in his place.
2 Kings 15 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 15:27-28 | As soon as Baasha began to reign, he killed all the house of Jeroboam... to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD which he spoke by his servant Ahijah... | Baasha's coup against Nadab, Jeroboam's son, fulfilling prophecy. |
| 1 Ki 16:9-10 | Zimri, an officer over half his chariots, conspired against him... he went in and struck him down and killed him... and became king in his place. | Zimri's assassination of King Elah, similar pattern of military officer coup. |
| 2 Ki 9:14-26 | Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram... then Jehu drew his bow with full strength and shot Joram... Joram fell in his chariot. | Jehu's divinely sanctioned but violent coup against Joram of Israel and Ahaziah of Judah. |
| 2 Ki 15:10 | Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah son of Jeroboam, and struck him down publicly and killed him, and reigned in his place. | Immediate precursor in 2 Kings, Zechariah killed by Shallum. |
| 2 Ki 15:14 | Menahem son of Gadi went up from Tirzah and came to Samaria, and struck down Shallum son of Jabesh in Samaria and killed him, and reigned in his place. | Menahem's overthrow of Shallum, just one month later. |
| Hos 8:4 | They set up kings, but not by me; they made princes, but I knew nothing of it. With their silver and gold they made idols for themselves, that they might be destroyed. | Prophetic condemnation of Israel's self-appointed, unstable kingship, rejecting divine will. |
| Isa 7:1-6 | When Ahaz king of Judah... came up to wage war against Jerusalem, along with Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel. | Pekah's later reign marked by the Syro-Ephraimite War, highlighting his violent trajectory. |
| 2 Ki 15:29-30 | In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon... all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria... Hoshea son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah... | The consequences of Pekah's unstable reign and his own subsequent assassination. |
| Prov 28:15 | Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. | Illustrates the predatory nature of unrighteous rulers like Pekah. |
| Psa 75:6-7 | For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes exaltation, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. | God's ultimate sovereignty over kings, even in human wickedness and coups. |
| Dan 2:21 | He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. | Reinforces God's providential control over earthly powers and successions. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. | Highlights the contrast with rebellious usurpations which are outside divine order. |
| 1 Pet 2:13-14 | Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution... whether to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him... | Christian principle of submission to governing authorities, which contrasts sharply with coup culture. |
| Jer 22:3-5 | Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness... otherwise, declares the LORD, this house shall become a desolation. | God's warning to kings about maintaining justice; lack of which leads to desolation/instability. |
| Ezek 19:1-9 | A lament concerning the kings of Israel... speaking of lion cub rulers who learned to tear prey. | Prophetic imagery of Israel's kings as predatory and violent, including capturing others. |
| Psa 33:10-11 | The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. | God's plans prevail despite human conspiracies and rebellions. |
| Prov 14:34 | Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. | Links the nation's spiritual state (sin) to political instability (reproach). |
| 1 Sam 8:7-9 | They have rejected me from being king over them... they are forsaking me and serving other gods. | Israel's initial rejection of God as their true King paved the way for problematic human kings. |
| Jer 7:13-15 | Because you have done all these things, declares the LORD... I will cast you out of my sight, just as I cast out all your kinsmen, all the whole house of Ephraim. | God's judgment against rebellious Israel, leading to its downfall. |
| Mic 3:9-11 | Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob... who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity... its prophets tell fortunes for money. | Corruption in leadership leading to the city's eventual destruction, paralleling Samaria. |
| 2 Ki 17:18-20 | Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight... because they rejected his statutes... until he cast them out of his presence. | Ultimate consequence for Israel's sin, including their instability and rejecting God's ways. |
| Zeph 1:12-13 | At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent... whose gold and silver shall be plunder. | Describes the coming judgment for complacency and evil within the city. |
2 Kings 15 verses
2 Kings 15 25 Meaning
2 Kings 15:25 records a violent coup d'état in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Pekah, a high-ranking officer in King Pekahiah's army, conspired with fifty Gileadites to assassinate Pekahiah within the security of his own palace in Samaria, the capital. Following the murder, Pekah immediately seized the throne, continuing the rapid cycle of instability, betrayal, and ungodointed succession that characterized the final decades of the Northern Kingdom. This act of regicide by a trusted official underscores the deep internal decay and divine judgment against Israel's apostasy.
2 Kings 15 25 Context
2 Kings chapter 15 vividly depicts the rapid succession and violent nature of the final kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel before its fall. The chapter narrates a period of extreme political instability, marked by frequent assassinations and usurpations of the throne, often lasting only a short time. This verse directly follows Pekahiah's short two-year reign and precedes Pekah's longer but equally disastrous reign, which culminated in significant territorial losses to Assyria. This constant internal strife, driven by lust for power, was seen by biblical writers as a direct consequence of Israel's spiritual rebellion and idolatry, which had led to the breakdown of God's covenantal order within the nation. The historical context is the mid-8th century BC, a time when the Neo-Assyrian Empire was a dominant and increasingly aggressive power in the Near East, exploiting the weakness and internal divisions of smaller states like Israel. The instability recounted in this verse and throughout the chapter rendered Israel highly vulnerable to foreign conquest.
2 Kings 15 25 Word analysis
- But Pekah: The word "but" connects this event to the preceding tumultuous narrative within 2 Kings 15, emphasizing a continuation of internal strife rather than a break from it. Pekah (פֶּקַח, Pekah) means "open" or "opening," ironically contrasting with his closed and treacherous actions. He is distinct from Pekahiah, the son of Menahem.
- son of Remaliah: Identifies Pekah by his lineage (בֶּן־רְמַלְלָיהוּ, ben-Remalyahu). This establishes his identity within the societal structure of the time, often signifying tribal or family affiliations important for gathering support.
- an officer of his: The Hebrew שָׁלִישׁוֹ (shalisho) typically translates to "his third man," referring to a high-ranking military officer, often a chief aide, adjutant, or chariot captain. This implies Pekah was in a position of trust and close proximity to King Pekahiah, making the betrayal particularly egregious. This reveals the king's inner circle was compromised.
- conspired against him: The verb קָשַׁר (qashar) means "to bind," "to plot," "to conspire." It signifies a deliberate, pre-meditated, and secretive act of rebellion against established authority, often resulting in violence and an illegal seizure of power. This word is characteristic of the constant coups in Israel.
- with fifty Gileadites: Gilead (גִּלְעָדִים, Gil'adim) refers to people from the Transjordanian region known for its rugged terrain and independent tribal character. Their involvement suggests Pekah had a significant armed following or mercenary support from outside the direct influence of the Samarian court, likely from his own regional base, highlighting the fragmented loyalty within Israel. Fifty armed men constituted a substantial force for a direct palace assault.
- and killed him: This is a direct statement of regicide, an act of violence. It underscores the complete lack of legitimate succession and the brutal means employed to gain power in this era of Israelite kingship.
- in Samaria: The capital city (שֹׁמְרוֹן, Shomron) of the Northern Kingdom, established by Omri. The assassination happening in the very heart of the kingdom highlights the pervasive breakdown of law and order, and the king's vulnerability even in his stronghold.
- in the citadel of the king's house: The Hebrew בְּאַרְמוֹן בֵּית־מֶלֶךְ (be'armon beit-melekh). Armon specifically refers to a fortified palace or citadel, a highly secure royal residence. The act occurring here emphasizes the utter betrayal from within the king's own protected space, indicating that no place was safe for the sovereign in such tumultuous times. It portrays Pekahiah's complete encirclement and inability to escape or defend himself.
- and took his place as king: This phrase signifies the immediate, direct, and violent transfer of power. Pekah's successful usurpation marked another episode in Israel's cycle of ungodly kings and short, unstable reigns, acquired through bloodshed rather than divine appointment.
2 Kings 15 25 Bonus section
- Rapid Succession of Kings: This verse is one of five assassinations of Israelite kings mentioned in 2 Kings 15 (Shallum killing Zechariah, Menahem killing Shallum, Pekah killing Pekahiah, and later Hoshea killing Pekah). This rapid succession highlights an unprecedented period of political fragmentation and civil strife unique to the latter days of the Northern Kingdom, particularly compared to the more stable (though still often sinful) Davidic line in Judah.
- Foreboding Instability: This internal chaos was a major factor contributing to Israel's inability to resist the encroaching Neo-Assyrian Empire. Instead of uniting against the external threat, the kings engaged in debilitating internal power struggles, ultimately weakening the nation to the point of no return.
- Theocratic vs. Usurped Authority: The constant violent overthrow of kings in Israel contrasts starkly with God's original intention for a monarchy guided by Him, as exemplified by the Davidic covenant for the Southern Kingdom. These usurpers, though rising to power, did so outside of God's appointed will for legitimate authority, resulting in further unrighteousness and divine judgment. Pekah's violent ascent set the stage for further calamity, including the Syro-Ephraimite War against Judah and devastating Assyrian campaigns during his reign.
2 Kings 15 25 Commentary
2 Kings 15:25 encapsulates the pervasive decay of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It portrays another in a rapid series of coups, where power was seized not through lineage or divine sanction but by brutal force. Pekahiah's assassination by Pekah, a trusted officer and a regional strongman with his own Gileadite followers, highlights the complete erosion of central authority and the profound internal treachery plaguing Israel. The strategic location of the assassination—within the fortified palace in Samaria—symbolizes how thoroughly the kingdom had become infiltrated and destabilized from within. This ongoing instability, marked by regicide and fleeting reigns (four kings assassinated in chapter 15 alone), was understood biblically as divine judgment against Israel's chronic idolatry and persistent rejection of the covenant with Yahweh, prophesied in Hosea 8:4 ("They set up kings, but not by me..."). The repeated cycle of violence prevented any sustained national unity or spiritual reform, leaving the kingdom vulnerable to its increasingly aggressive Assyrian neighbors and ultimately leading to its downfall.