Who was Zachariah in this passage and what was his reign like?

Zachariah was the son of Jeroboam and king of Israel in Samaria. He began to reign in the thirty‑eighth year of Azariah king of Judah and ruled only six months. The passage says he did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, like his fathers, and that he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who made Israel sin. Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against him, struck him down before the people, killed him, and reigned in his place.

What are the "sins of Jeroboam" mentioned in this passage?

The passage refers back to “the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.” While it does not describe the details here, it states that Zachariah did not depart from those sins. This means he continued the same kind of wrongdoing that had already led Israel into sin, instead of turning away from it.

Why did Shallum kill Zachariah and what happened to Shallum afterward?

Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zachariah, smote him before the people, slew him, and reigned in his place. Later, in the thirty‑ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi came up from Tirzah to Samaria, smote Shallum in Samaria, slew him, and reigned instead of him. The passage does not give Shallum’s motives, only the bare facts of the conspiracy, the killings, and the quick change of kings.

How does this passage show God’s promise to Jehu being fulfilled?

The Lord had spoken to Jehu, saying that his sons would sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation. This passage states that the word of the Lord came to pass when Zachariah, a descendant of Jehu, reigned and was then killed. The text simply notes that this happened “according to the word of the Lord,” showing that what God had said to Jehu was fulfilled, without giving a detailed list of each generation.

Why did Menahem attack Tiphsah and use such harsh cruelty?

Menahem struck Tiphsah and all that were in it, and its borders, because they did not open to him. Since they would not open to him, he smote the city, and the passage says he ripped up all the women who were with child. His attack and cruelty are presented as a response to the city’s refusal to open to him.

What does this violent passage teach about God’s judgment and human sin?

The passage shows kings doing what is evil, holding to the sins that had already led Israel astray. There are conspiracies, short reigns, killings, and shocking cruelty such as what Menahem does at Tiphsah. It also notes that the word the Lord spoke to Jehu came to pass. Together these details show that ongoing sin leads to painful outcomes and that what God says about both kings and kingdoms does come to pass in real history.

Why are there so many short reigns and assassinations in this part of Israel’s history?

In this passage Zachariah reigns six months before being killed by Shallum, Shallum reigns a full month before being killed by Menahem, and each king takes the throne by smiting the one before him. The text links these events with the repeated evil of the kings and with the earlier word of the Lord to Jehu, giving a picture of a kingdom marked by instability, violence, and repeated sin.

How can a hard passage like this apply to life today?

This passage records real events of conspiracy, brief reigns, and severe cruelty. It shows how leaders’ sins can bring suffering on many, and how violence and hardness of heart can become normal in a nation that does not turn back from its sins. It also shows that what God says comes to pass. For today, it warns against treating sin lightly and urges prayer for leaders and communities to turn from wrongdoing instead of following the same destructive paths.

2Kgs.15.8

2 Kings 15:8

KJV

¶ In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.

Zechariah Reigns in Israel

¶ In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.

And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

This was the word of the Lord which he spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass.

¶ Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.

For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.

And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

¶ Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah: because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it; and all the women therein that were with child he ripped up.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.