2 Kings 15:19
“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.”
Context:To better understand this verse, let’s establish the context. 2 Kings is a historical book in the Old Testament that records the history of the kings of Israel and Judah. In this particular chapter, the focus is on the reign of Menahem, who ruled over the northern kingdom of Israel.
The threat of Pul:In verse 19, we learn that Pul, the king of Assyria, came against the land of Israel. The Assyrians were a powerful empire known for their military prowess. Pul’s invasion posed a significant threat to the kingdom of Israel.
Menahem’s response:To mitigate the potential destruction and maintain his grip on the kingdom, Menahem sought an alliance with Pul. Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, a substantial sum of money, to secure his support and strengthen his position as the ruler of Israel.
The confirmation of the kingdom:The purpose of giving Pul the silver was to ensure that his hand would be with Menahem. In other words, Menahem wanted Pul’s backing to confirm and strengthen his reign as the king of Israel. By establishing this alliance, Menahem hoped to secure his position and protect the kingdom from Pul’s aggression.
Ethical considerations:Menahem’s decision to pay Pul off with a large amount of silver raises ethical questions. It can be seen as an act of desperation and compromise, as Menahem resorted to bribing Pul to secure his throne instead of trusting in God’s deliverance. The passage doesn’t explicitly mention whether this action pleased or displeased God, but it highlights the political realities of the time.
Historical accuracy:It’s worth noting that some scholars suggest that “Pul” mentioned in this verse may refer to Tiglath-Pileser III, an Assyrian king, rather than a distinct ruler named Pul. This is based on historical evidence that Tiglath-Pileser III invaded Israel during this period. However, the identification of Pul with Tiglath-Pileser III is not universally agreed upon.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 15:19 recounts Menahem’s alliance with Pul, the king of Assyria, to secure his rule over the kingdom of Israel. It serves as a reminder of the political challenges faced by the kings of Israel and raises ethical considerations regarding the reliance on worldly powers rather than complete trust in God.
