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Commentary on 2 Kings 15 verses 8–31
The best days of the kingdom of Israel were while the government was in Jehu's family. In his reign, and the next three reigns, though there were many abominable corruptions and miserable grievances in Israel, yet the crown went in succession, the kings died in their beds, and some care was taken of public affairs; but, now that those days are at an end, the history which we have in these verses of about thirty-three years represents the affairs of that kingdom in the utmost confusion imaginable. Woe to those that were with child (Kg2 15:16) and to those that gave suck in those days, for then must needs be great tribulations, when, for the transgression of the land, many were the princes thereof.
I. Let us observe something, in general, concerning these unhappy revolutions and the calamities which must needs attend them - these bad times, as they may truly be called. 1. God had tried the people of Israel both with judgments and mercies, explained and enforced by his servants the prophets, and yet they continued impenitent and unreformed, and therefore God justly brought these miseries upon them, as Moses had warned them. If you will yet walk contrary to me, I will punish you yet seven times more, Lev 26:21, etc. 2. God made good his promise to Jehu, that his sons to the fourth generation after him should sit upon the throne of Israel, which was a greater favour than was shown to any of the royal families either before or after his. God had said it should be so (Kg2 10:30) and we are told in this chapter (Kg2 15:12) that so it came to pass. See how punctual God is to his promises. These calamities God long designed for Israel, and they deserved them, yet they were not inflicted till that word had taken effect to the full. Thus God rewarded Jehu for his zeal in destroying the worship of Baal and the house of Ahab; and yet, when the measure of the sins of the house of Jehu was full, God avenged upon it the blood then shed, called the blood of Jezreel, Hos 1:4. 3. All these kings did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, for they walked in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. Though at variance with one another, yet in this they agreed, to keep up idolatry, and the people loved to have it so; though they were emptied from vessel to vessel, that taste remained in them, and that scent was not changed. It was sad indeed when their government was so often altered, yet never for the better - that among all those contending interests none of them should think it as much their interest to destroy the calves as others had done to support them. 4. Each of these (except one) conspired against his predecessor, and slew him - Shallum, Menahem, Pekah, and Hoshea, all traitors and murderers, and yet all kings awhile, one of them ten, another twenty, and another nine years; for God may suffer wickedness to prosper and to carry away the wealth and honours awhile, but, sooner or later, blood shall have blood, and he that dealt treacherously shalt be dealt treacherously with. One wicked man is often made a scourge to another, and every wicked man, at length, a ruin to himself. 5. The ambition of the great men made the nation miserable. Here is Tiphsah, a city of Israel, barbarously destroyed, with all the coasts thereof, by one of these pretenders (Kg2 15:16), and no doubt it was through blood that each of them waded to the throne, nor could any of these kings perish alone. No land can have greater pests, nor Israel worse troubles, than such men as care not how much the welfare and repose of their country are sacrificed to their revenge and affectation of dominion. 6. While the nation was thus shattered by divisions at home the kings of Assyria, first one (Kg2 15:19) and then another (Kg2 15:29), came against it and did what they pleased. Nothing does more towards the making of a nation an easy prey to a common enemy than intestine broils and contests for the sovereignty. Happy the land where that is settled. 7. This was the condition of Israel just before they were quite ruined and carried away captive, for that was in the ninth year of Hoshea, the last of these usurpers. If they had, in these days of confusion and perplexity, humbled themselves before God and sought his face, that final destruction might have been prevented; but when God judgeth he will overcome. These factions, the fruit of an evil spirit sent among them, hastened that captivity, for a kingdom thus divided against itself will soon come to desolation.
II. Let us take a short view of the particular reigns.
1.Zachariah, the son of Jeroboam, began to reign in the thirty-eighth year of Azariah, or Uzziah, king of Judah, Kg2 15:8. Some of the most critical chronologers reckon that between Jeroboam and his son Zachariah the throne was vacant twenty-two years, others eleven years, through the disturbances and dissensions that were in the kingdom; and then it was not strange that Zachariah was deposed before he was well seated on the throne: he reigned but six months, and then Shallum slew him before the people, perhaps as Caesar was slain in the senate, or he put him to death publicly as a criminal, with the approbation of the people, to whom he had, some way or other, made himself odious; so ended the line of Jehu.
2.But had Shallum peace, who slew his master? No, he had not (Kg2 15:13), one month of days measured his reign and then he was cut off; perhaps to this the prophet, who then lived, refers (Hos 5:7), Now shall a month devour them with their portions. That dominion seldom lasts long which is founded in blood and falsehood. Menahem, either provoked by his crime or animated by his example, soon served him as he had served his master - slew him and reigned in his stead, Kg2 15:14. Probably he was general in the army, which then lay encamped at Tirzah, and, hearing of Shallum's treason and usurpation, hastened to punish it, as Omri did that of Zimri in a like case, Kg1 16:17.
3.Menahem held the kingdom ten years, Kg2 15:17. But, whereas we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel were merciful kings (Kg1 20:31), this Menahem (the scandal of his country) was so prodigiously cruel to those of his own nation who hesitated a little at submitting to him that he not only ruined a city, and the coasts thereof, but, forgetting that he himself was born of a woman, ripped up all the women with child, Kg2 15:16. We may well wonder that ever it should enter into the heart of any man to be so barbarous, and to be so perfectly lost to humanity itself. By these cruel methods he hoped to strengthen himself and to frighten all others into his interests; but it seems he did not gain his point, for when the king of Assyria came against him, (1.) So little confidence had he in his people that he durst not meet him as an enemy, but was obliged, at a vast expense, to purchase a peace with him. (2.) Such need had he of help to confirm the kingdom in his hand that he made it part of his bargain with him (a bargain which, no doubt, the king of Assyria knew how to make a good hand of another time) that he should assist him against his own subjects that were disaffected to him. The money wherewith he purchased his friendship was a vast sum, no less than 1000 talents of silver (Kg2 15:19), which Menahem exacted, it is probable, by military execution, of all the mighty men of wealth, very considerately sparing the poor, and laying the burden (as was fit) on those that were best able to bear it; being raised, it was given to the king of Assyria, as pay for his army, fifty shekels of silver for each man in it. Thus he got clear of the king of Assyria for this time; he staid not to quarter in the land (Kg2 15:20), but his army now got so rich a booty with so little trouble that it encouraged them to come again, not long after, when they laid all waste. Thus was he the betrayer of his country that should have been the protector of it.
4.Pekahiah, the son of Menahem, succeeded his father, but reigned only two years, and then was treacherously slain by Pekah, falling under the load both of his own and of his father's wickedness. It is repeated concerning him as before that he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam. Still this is mentioned, to show that God was righteous in bringing that destruction upon them which came not long after, because they hated to be reformed, Kg2 15:24. Pekah, it seems, had some persons of figure in his interest, two of whom are here named (Kg2 15:25), and with their help he compassed his design.
5.Pekah, though he got the kingdom by treason, kept it twenty years (Kg2 15:27), so long it was before his violent dealing returned upon his own head, but it returned at last. This Pekah, son of Remaliah, (1.) Made himself more considerable abroad than any of these usurpers, for he was, even in the latter end of his time (in the reign of Ahaz, which began in his seventeenth year), a great terror to the kingdom of Judah, as we find, Isa 7:1, etc. (2.) He lost a great part of his kingdom to the king of Assyria. Several cities are here named (Kg2 15:29) which were taken from him, all the land of Gilead on the other side Jordan, and Galilee in the north containing the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulon, were seized, and the inhabitants carried captive into Assyria. By this judgment God punished him for his attempt upon Judah and Jerusalem. It was then foretold that within two or three years after he made that attempt, before a child, then born, should be able to cry My father and my mother, the riches of Samaria should be taken away before the king of Assyria (Isa 8:4), and here we have the accomplishment of that prediction. (3.) Soon after this he forfeited his life to the resentments of his countrymen, who, it is probable, were disgusted at him for leaving them exposed to a foreign enemy, while he was invading Judah, of which Hoshea took advantage and, to gain his crown, seized his life, slew him, and reigned in his stead. Surely he was fond of a crown indeed who, at this time, would run such a hazard as a traitor did; for the crown of Israel, now that it had lost the choicest of its flowers and jewels, was lined more than ever with thorns, had of late been fatal to all the heads that had worn it, was forfeited to divine justice, and now ready to be laid in the dust - a crown which a wise man would not have taken up in the street, yet Hoshea not only ventured upon it but ventured for it, and it cost him dear.
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SUMMARY
Second Kings 15:16 records a horrific act of extreme brutality perpetrated by Menahem, the newly crowned king of Israel, during his violent consolidation of power. Having recently usurped the throne, Menahem launched a devastating assault on Tiphsah and its surrounding territories because the city defiantly refused to submit to his authority. The verse grimly details the complete destruction of the city and the unspeakable atrocity of Menahem ripping open pregnant women, a barbaric tactic intended to instill terror, eliminate potential future resistance, and assert absolute dominance, profoundly illustrating the moral decay and political instability characteristic of the Northern Kingdom of Israel during this turbulent period.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 2 Kings 15:16 is Graphic Imagery. The explicit and unsparing description of "ripping up" pregnant women is designed to shock and horrify the reader, conveying the extreme depravity and inhumanity of Menahem's actions. This vivid, unvarnished portrayal serves not to condone the act, but to underscore the moral abyss into which the Northern Kingdom had fallen, functioning as a powerful testament to the consequences of unchecked power and a society that has strayed far from divine moral law. The verse also employs Cause and Effect, clearly linking Tiphsah's refusal to submit ("because they opened not to him") with Menahem's subsequent, horrific retaliation ("therefore he smote it... he ripped up"). This highlights the dire and violent realities of political power struggles in the ancient Near East and the brutal consequences of defiance.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while detailing a historical atrocity, carries profound theological weight, serving as a stark reminder of the depths of human depravity when individuals and societies reject God's moral law and succumb to unchecked power and violence. The Bible, in recording such events, does not condone them but rather exposes the horrific consequences of sin and rebellion against God's created order and His standards of justice and mercy. God's abhorrence for such acts is unequivocally evident throughout the prophetic literature, where similar atrocities are condemned as an affront to human dignity and divine righteousness. This account underscores the tragic trajectory of the Northern Kingdom, whose persistent unfaithfulness and moral decay led to a devastating cycle of violence, instability, and eventually, divine judgment and exile.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While 2 Kings 15:16 recounts a deeply disturbing historical event, its inclusion in the biblical canon is not without profound purpose for the contemporary believer. It forces us to confront the stark reality of human evil and the devastating consequences that arise when societies abandon divine principles and moral restraints. This passage serves as a sobering mirror, reflecting the chilling capacity for immense cruelty that lies within the human heart apart from God's transforming grace. It compels us to lament the brokenness of the world and to recognize the urgent need for God's justice, healing, and redemptive intervention. For us today, it is a powerful call to value and protect every human life, especially the most vulnerable and defenseless, and to actively work towards justice, peace, and compassion in a world still tragically plagued by violence, oppression, and disregard for human dignity. It also highlights the critical importance of resisting the allure of power without accountability and the absolute necessity of submitting to God's righteous and life-affirming standards.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Was this common practice in ancient warfare?
Answer: Sadly, acts of extreme cruelty, including against women and children, were indeed documented tactics of terror and subjugation in ancient Near Eastern warfare. Empires like the Assyrians were notorious for such brutality, using it to break the will of their enemies, prevent future generations of resistance, and send a chilling message to other potential challengers. While abhorrent and condemned by God's moral law, Menahem's actions, though recorded in the Bible, reflect a grim reality of the period's military strategies and the depths of human depravity.
Does God condone such actions?
Answer: Absolutely not. The Bible records these events as historical fact, often as a consequence of sin and rebellion, but never condones or approves of them. Throughout the Old Testament, God's prophets consistently condemn such brutality, whether committed by Israel's enemies or by Israel itself, as seen in Amos 1:13 where the Ammonites are condemned for the very act of ripping open pregnant women. God's law, as revealed in the Torah, commands respect for life, justice, and compassion, and His character is one of holiness, justice, and mercy, not wanton cruelty. The inclusion of such acts in the biblical narrative serves as a stark warning about human depravity and the devastating consequences of rejecting God's moral order.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The gruesome account of Menahem's brutality in 2 Kings 15:16 stands in stark and profound contrast to the character and mission of Jesus Christ. While Menahem sought to consolidate power through terror, destruction, and the annihilation of the most vulnerable, Jesus, the true King, came not to destroy lives but to save them (Luke 9:56). His kingdom is not built on violence, oppression, or fear, but on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). The ultimate depravity of humanity, powerfully exemplified by Menahem's actions, finds its perfect antidote in Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, where He conquered sin and death—the very forces that fuel such evil and cruelty (Colossians 2:13-15). Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), offering mercy, forgiveness, and new life where there was only destruction, despair, and the bitter fruit of human rebellion. He embodies the perfect love, justice, and compassion of God, providing the only lasting hope for a world scarred by human cruelty and violence, and establishing a kingdom where such atrocities will ultimately cease (Revelation 21:4).