Who was Pekah son of Remaliah and how long did he reign over Israel?

Pekah son of Remaliah was one of the later kings of the northern kingdom of Israel. He took the throne in Samaria during the reign of Azariah, king of Judah, and ruled for twenty years. His rule is described as evil in God’s sight, because he did not turn away from the sins started by Jeroboam. That means he kept the same false worship and led the people in it. Even though twenty years sounds like a strong rule, his kingdom was weakened by sin, invasion, and finally by his own violent death.

What does it mean that Pekah did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam?

When the text says Pekah did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, it means he kept the same false worship that Jeroboam had set up. Jeroboam had turned Israel away from the true worship of God and used idols to keep people from going to Jerusalem. Pekah followed that same path instead of leading the people back to God. So his reign continued the same pattern of disobedience that had been going on for generations, and this set the stage for judgment on the nation.

Why did Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria invade and carry people captive?

During Pekah’s reign, Tiglath-pileser, the king of Assyria, came against Israel and took several towns and regions, including places in Naphtali and Gilead. He not only captured the land but also carried the people away to Assyria. This was not just a political move. The passage shows it as part of God’s judgment on a nation that had long refused to turn from idolatry. Israel’s sin and weak, violent rulers left the kingdom exposed, and God allowed a powerful foreign empire to take their land and people.

What areas of Israel were taken by Tiglath-pileser in this passage?

The passage lists several places taken by Tiglath-pileser during Pekah’s reign. He took Ijon, Abel-beth-maachah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, described as all the land of Naphtali. These were important towns and regions in the northern part of Israel, including land across the Jordan and in upper Galilee. Losing these areas meant a serious breaking apart of the northern kingdom, and many of the people living there were carried away as captives to Assyria.

Who was Hoshea son of Elah and what did he do to Pekah?

Hoshea son of Elah was the man who ended Pekah’s reign. The passage says he made a conspiracy against Pekah, struck him, killed him, and then ruled in his place. This shows how unstable Israel’s leadership had become, with one violent overthrow following another. Hoshea’s act was similar to earlier assassinations in this chapter. His rise to power did not come through peaceful change but through murder, which fits the pattern of corruption and bloodshed that marked this period in Israel’s history.

What does this passage show about God’s judgment on Israel?

This passage shows that God’s judgment can come through real events in history. Israel had been warned many times and had been given both hard times and good times to wake them up, yet they clung to idol worship. Under Pekah, the people still did not turn back. So God allowed Assyria to take their cities and carry them away. The story warns that ongoing sin and stubborn hearts lead to loss and sorrow, and that God’s patience, though long, does not mean he ignores evil forever.

Why is the Assyrian captivity mentioned here important for understanding Israel’s story?

The captivity mentioned here is the first time large groups from Israel are taken away to Assyria. It is a turning point, because it shows that the breakup of the kingdom is moving toward full collapse. The loss of towns in Naphtali, Galilee, and Gilead is like the first cracks in a wall that is ready to fall. It reminds readers that long-standing sin finally brings real consequences, and it prepares the way for the later complete fall of the northern kingdom.

How does the violent end of Pekah’s reign relate to his own actions and choices?

Pekah came to power by killing the previous king, and he himself was killed by another man who wanted the throne. This pattern shows that those who live by violence often fall by violence. He kept the nation in idolatry and did not lead them to seek God, even as danger grew from outside. The way his reign ends fits with the whole picture of his rule: disobedience to God, harm to the people, and finally judgment that reached even into the king’s own life and death.

2Kgs.15.27

2 Kings 15:27

KJV

¶ In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years.

Cross References

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