Topical Bible: Alliances: Rezin and Pekah

◄ Alliances: Rezin and Pekah ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The alliance between Rezin, king of Aram (Syria), and Pekah, son of Remaliah and king of Israel, is a significant event in the history of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. This alliance is primarily documented in the books of 2 Kings and Isaiah, and it played a crucial role in the geopolitical landscape of the 8th century BC.

Historical Context

During the reign of Ahaz, king of Judah, the northern kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Aram formed a coalition to resist the expanding Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III. Rezin and Pekah sought to strengthen their position by pressuring Judah to join their alliance against Assyria. When Ahaz refused, they turned their aggression towards Judah, aiming to dethrone him and install a puppet king who would support their cause.

Biblical Account

The narrative of this alliance is found in 2 Kings 15:37-38 and 16:5-9, as well as in Isaiah 7:1-9. In 2 Kings 15:37-38, it is recorded that "In those days the LORD began to send Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah against Judah." This indicates that the LORD allowed these events as part of His divine plan, possibly as a judgment against the unfaithfulness of the people.

Isaiah 7 provides a more detailed account of the political and spiritual implications of this alliance. Isaiah 7:1 states, "Now it came to pass in the days of Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel went up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but they could not prevail against it." Despite their efforts, the alliance failed to capture Jerusalem.

Prophetic Significance

The prophet Isaiah was sent by God to reassure King Ahaz and the people of Judah. In Isaiah 7:4-7, Isaiah tells Ahaz, "Be careful, stay calm, and do not fear; do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. Aram, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah have plotted your ruin, saying, 'Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it.' Yet this is what the Lord GOD says: 'It will not happen; it will not occur.'"

Isaiah's prophecy assured Ahaz that the alliance would not succeed, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the futility of human schemes against His divine will. The prophecy also included the famous sign of Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14), which has been interpreted as a messianic prophecy pointing to the birth of Jesus Christ.

Outcome and Aftermath

In response to the threat posed by Rezin and Pekah, Ahaz sought assistance from Tiglath-Pileser III, king of Assyria. This decision is recorded in 2 Kings 16:7-9, where Ahaz sent messengers to the Assyrian king, saying, "I am your servant and your vassal. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are attacking me." Tiglath-Pileser obliged, attacking Damascus, capturing it, and killing Rezin. This effectively ended the alliance and diminished the threat to Judah.

The alliance between Rezin and Pekah serves as a reminder of the complex political dynamics of the ancient Near East and the overarching providence of God in the affairs of nations. It highlights the importance of faith and reliance on God rather than human alliances and schemes.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 16:5
Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... princes, by Menahem and Rezin II--- Second campaign against the Medes"Invasion of
Urartu and end of its supremacy"Alliance of Pekah and Rezin against Ahaz ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... he was once more seated on the throne, he endeavoured to form alliances with all ...
of Hezekiah than to the years preceding the war against Pekah and Rezin. ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm