Pekah, the son of Remaliah, was a significant figure in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC. He is primarily known for his role as the king of Israel, a position he attained through a violent coup. His reign is documented in the biblical books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, where he is depicted as a ruler who led Israel during a tumultuous period marked by political instability and foreign threats.

Background and Ascension to the Throne

Pekah was originally a captain in the army of King Pekahiah, the son of Menahem. In a dramatic turn of events, Pekah conspired against Pekahiah and assassinated him in Samaria, seizing the throne for himself. This act of regicide is recorded in 2 Kings 15:25: "Then Pekah son of Remaliah, one of his chief officers, conspired against him. Taking fifty men of Gilead with him, he assassinated Pekahiah, along with Argob and Arieh, in the citadel of the king’s palace at Samaria. So Pekah killed Pekahiah and reigned in his place."

Reign and Political Alliances

Pekah's reign lasted for approximately twenty years, from around 752 to 732 BC. His rule was characterized by a series of alliances and conflicts, particularly with the neighboring kingdom of Aram (Syria). Pekah formed a coalition with Rezin, the king of Aram, in an attempt to resist the growing threat of the Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III. This alliance is noted in 2 Kings 15:37: "In those days the LORD began to send Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah against Judah."

Pekah's coalition sought to pressure the Southern Kingdom of Judah into joining their resistance against Assyria. When King Ahaz of Judah refused, Pekah and Rezin waged war against Judah, an event known as the Syro-Ephraimite War. This conflict is detailed in Isaiah 7, where the prophet Isaiah counsels King Ahaz not to fear the alliance of Pekah and Rezin, assuring him of God's protection.

Downfall and Assassination

Despite his efforts to strengthen Israel's position, Pekah's reign ultimately ended in failure. The Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III launched a campaign against Israel, capturing significant territories and deporting many Israelites. This is recorded in 2 Kings 15:29: "In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee—all the land of Naphtali—and he deported the people to Assyria."

Pekah's downfall came at the hands of Hoshea, the son of Elah, who conspired against him and assassinated him, thus ending his reign. This is succinctly noted in 2 Kings 15:30: "Then Hoshea son of Elah conspired against Pekah son of Remaliah, attacked him, and killed him. And he reigned in his place in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah."

Religious and Moral Evaluation

From a religious perspective, Pekah's reign is evaluated negatively in the biblical narrative. Like many of the kings of Israel, Pekah is criticized for continuing the idolatrous practices initiated by Jeroboam I, which led Israel away from the worship of Yahweh. This is implied in the recurring biblical assessment of the kings of Israel, who "did evil in the sight of the LORD."

Pekah's account serves as a reminder of the political and spiritual challenges faced by the Northern Kingdom of Israel, highlighting the consequences of alliances formed without seeking divine guidance and the perils of internal strife and idolatry. His reign is a testament to the turbulent history of Israel during a period of significant prophetic activity and divine intervention.