Menahem Reigns in Israel

17 In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem the son of Gadi began to reign over Israel for ten years in Samaria. 18 But he did evil in the eyes of Yahweh. He did not depart all of his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat which he caused Israel to sin.

19 Pul the king of Assyria came against the land, so Menahem gave a thousand talents of silver to Pul so that his hand would be with him to strengthen his hold on the kingdom.[fn] 20 Menahem exacted the money from Israel, from all the very rich,[fn] to give to the king of Assyria fifty shekels of silver for each one. Then the king of Assyria returned and did not stay there in the land. 21 Now the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the scroll of the events of the days of the kings of Israel? 22 So Menahem slept with his ancestors,[fn] and Pekahiah his son became king in his place.