King Pekah was a king of Israel who ruled during the 8th century BC. He was initially an officer in the army of king Pekahiah, before staging a coup and seizing the throne for himself. Pekah’s reign lasted around 20 years and was marked by idolatry, political instability and the loss of territory to the Assyrian empire. Here is an overview of Pekah’s life and rule according to the Bible:
Pekah’s Origins and Rise to Power
The Bible first mentions Pekah in 2 Kings 15, where he is described as the “son of Remaliah” (2 Kings 15:25). His origins are uncertain, but he rose to prominence as a captain in the army of king Pekahiah, who ruled over the northern kingdom of Israel. After Pekahiah had reigned for just two years, Pekah conspired against him along with 50 men from Gilead, assassinated the king, and seized the throne for himself around 740 BC (2 Kings 15:25). This ended the dynasty of king Menahem and began Pekah’s 20 year reign over Israel (2 Kings 15:27).
Pekah’s Idolatry and Unfaithfulness
The Bible accuses Pekah of continuing the “sins of Jeroboam” (2 Kings 15:28). This is a reference to Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom, who had set up idols at Dan and Bethel and led the people into idolatrous calf worship (1 Kings 12:25-33). Like many of the kings before him, Pekah rejected the worship of Yahweh alone and allowed pagan practices and shrines to remain. He is blamed for “doing evil in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 15:28).
Loss of Territory to the Assyrians
One of the defining features of Pekah’s reign was the expansion of the Assyrian empire under kings Tiglath-Pileser III and Shalmaneser V. The Bible records that Pekah lost significant territory to Assyria during his reign. The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh were taken into exile by Tiglath-Pileser around 732 BC (1 Chronicles 5:26). Later, Shalmaneser attacked and besieged the capital city of Samaria, eventually capturing it and exiling the rest of the northern tribes after Pekah’s death (2 Kings 17:5-6). The pressure exerted by the mighty Assyrian empire would have significantly weakened Pekah’s rule.
Pekah’s Alliance with Rezin of Aram
Facing the threat of Assyria, Pekah allied himself with Rezin, the king of the neighboring kingdom of Aram (2 Kings 15:37). Together they tried to coerce Judah into joining them in an anti-Assyrian coalition. When Judah’s king Ahaz refused, Pekah and Rezin invaded Judah and threatened Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:5-9; Isaiah 7:1-9). Although they failed to conquer Jerusalem, Pekah’s army inflicted severe casualties on Judah and took many captives (2 Chronicles 28:5-8). The coalition was ended when Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria conquered Damascus and killed Rezin around 732 BC (2 Kings 16:9).
Pekah’s Death
After reigning for around 20 years, Pekah was assassinated by Hoshea son of Elah, one of his own officers, who then took the throne (2 Kings 15:30). Pekah was the seventh king of the northern kingdom after it had split from the southern kingdom of Judah. He was succeeded by Hoshea, who became the last king of Israel before it fell to the Assyrians.
Summary of Pekah’s Life
In summary, Pekah was initially an army officer under king Pekahiah before overthrowing him and becoming king of Israel himself. He continued the idolatrous practices established by Jeroboam I, losing significant territory to Assyria during his 20 year reign. He allied himself with Aram against the threat of Assyria but could not stop Assyria’s incursions into Israelite territory. After nearly 20 years on the throne, Pekah was assassinated by his own officer Hoshea. Under his leadership, the northern kingdom of Israel drew closer to its eventual destruction and exile by the Assyrian empire.
Pekah’s Character and Spiritual State
The Bible gives a predominantly negative assessment of Pekah’s character and spiritual state. Several key facts demonstrate this:
- Pekah rose to power by conspiring against and assassinating his predecessor, an act the Bible certainly does not condone.
- He continued the idolatrous practices of Jeroboam I, provoking God to anger through pagan worship.
- He made a dangerous alliance with Aram, directly disobeying God’s warning through the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 7:4-9).
- He attacked and inflicted casualties on his fellow Israelites in the kingdom of Judah (2 Chronicles 28:6).
For these reasons, most biblical scholars conclude that Pekah was an unrighteous king who failed to walk in God’s ways. This is explicitly stated in the final assessment that “he did evil in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 15:28). While he may have exhibited strength as a military leader, he failed spiritually as one who was meant to lead God’s people.
Pekah in Biblical Prophecy
In addition to the historical accounts in Kings and Chronicles, Pekah is also mentioned in some of the prophecies concerning Israel and Judah:
- Isaiah 7-9 – Isaiah recounts the alliance between Pekah and Rezin against Judah and warns that their plans will come to nothing. He also prophesies that Israel will eventually fall to Assyria.
- Hosea 5:5 – The prophet Hosea declares that both Israel and Judah will stumble because of their idolatry. Pekah had continued Israel’s idolatry.
- Micah 1:1 – Micah dates his prophecy to the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah in Judah and Pekah in Israel.
- Habakkuk 1:5-11 – A prophecy concerning how God will use the “ruthless and impetuous” nation of Assyria to punish the “guilty men” of Israel.
While Pekah is not specifically targeted in these prophecies, they provide context and confirmation of the geopolitical situation and spiritual corruption that marked the days of his reign.
Lessons from Pekah’s Life
Although Pekah was an unrighteous king, some lessons emerge from his life account in Scripture:
- God is sovereign – even unrighteous rulers cannot thwart His ultimate plans and purposes.
- Disobedience brings consequences – Pekah experienced military defeat for his disobedience.
- Idolatry is offensive to God – Pekah continued forbidden idol worship established by Jeroboam I.
- Ungodly alliances often fail – Pekah’s alliance with Rezin could not stop Assyria nor save Israel.
- Assassination and coups displease God – Pekah came to power by a bloody coup.
For the people of Israel, Pekah provides a negative example of an unrighteous king who brought disaster on the nation by rejecting God and leading the people into idolatry and disobedience. His life illustrates the biblical principle that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people” (Proverbs 14:34).
Pekah in the Larger Context of Scripture
Pekah’s reign fits within the larger degenerative pattern seen throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles. As the kings of Israel persisted in evil and idolatrous practices, God’s judgment drew nearer. Other unrighteous kings like Jeroboam I, Ahab and Jehu preceded Pekah, while his successors like Menahem and Hoshea continued in similar sins. Progressively, as more leaders led the people away from God, the nation declined and drifted from its covenant obligations.
During Pekah’s reign Israel was already in a covenant broken state, yet he made no effort at reforms but continued in sin. His alliance with Aram apart from God’s direction also highlights Israel’s refusal to rely on divine protection. The ultimate capitulation to Assyria less than 20 years after Pekah’s death proved that unfaithfulness to God left Israel vulnerable and unable to maintain the land and freedom He had provided.
In contrast, the southern kingdom of Judah experienced occasional reforms and revivals under kings like Hezekiah and Josiah who led the people to repentance. This perhaps extended Judah’s lifespan for several generations before the Babylonian exile, demonstrating God’s mercy on those who turned to Him.
Overall, Pekah is one of the last examples of deteriorating leadership over Israel before the capstone of divine discipline arrived in their total defeat and exile under the Assyrian empire. His life lessons remain applicable today for nations that turn from following God.
Significance of Pekah’s Reign for Biblical History
Though one of the lesser known Israelite kings, Pekah’s reign holds significance for several aspects of biblical history:
- Geopolitics – Pekah’s rule saw Assyria expand westward and threaten both Israel and Judah, dominating the late 8th century BC Levant. This growing superpower would exile Israel.
- Divided Kingdom Era – Pekah was part of the ongoing division between Israel and Judah after the kingdom split, often allying against each other.
- Fall of Samaria – The instability after Pekah’s death helped lead to Israel’s final fall under Hoshea a few decades later.
- Exile and Loss of Land – Assyrian conquests under Pekah marked the beginning loss of Israelite territory and exile of Transjordan tribes.
- Prophetic Warnings – Prophecies during Pekah’s reign by Isaiah and Hosea warned of coming judgment on disobedient Israel.
Seen in its wider context, Pekah’s rule accelerated the decline of Israel while also representing another step in God’s discipline of His people to turn them back to covenant faithfulness. While a mostly negative example, Pekah illustrates God’s justice and the futility of opposing His revealed purposes in history.
Conclusion
In conclusion, King Pekah of Israel was an influential but mostly unrighteous northern king who reigned during a period of Assyrian expansion. He rose to power by assassinating his predecessor but then led Israel into further idolatry, unwise alliances and military losses. By disobeying God and adopting the sins of Jeroboam I, Pekah continued Israel’s wayward path that would eventually end in exile and the disappearance of the northern tribes. His life provides lessons on the consequences of disobedience and forgetting God. While a skilled warrior, Pekah represents another step in the decline of the divided kingdoms that testified to God’s justice and sovereignty over all human rulers and nations.
