17 In the thirty-ninth year of King Azaryah’s reign over Yehudah, Gadi’s son Menahem became king over Israel and he reigned from Shomron (Samaria) for ten years. 18 He did what Yahweh had said was evil—he didn’t avoid the kinds of behaviour that had been done by Nebat’s son Yarave’am who had caused Israel to sin.

During his reign, 19 King Pul (Tiglat-Pileser) of Assyria attacked Israel, and Menahem gave Pul over thirty tonnes of silver, so he would support Menahem’s reign. 20 (Menahem had taxed all the wealthy families across Israel—fifty silver coins per adult male.) As a result, the Assyrian king cancelled his plans to attack and returned home.

21 Everything else that Menahem said and did is written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel. 22 Then Menahem died and was buried, and his son Pekahyah replaced him as king.