2 Kings 15:25

KJV

But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.

KJV (with Strong's)

But Pekah {H6492} the son {H1121} of Remaliah {H7425}, a captain {H7991} of his, conspired {H7194} against him, and smote {H5221} him in Samaria {H8111}, in the palace {H759} of the king's {H4428} house {H1004}, with Argob {H709} and Arieh {H745}, and with him fifty {H2572} men {H376} of the Gileadites {H1121}{H1569}: and he killed {H4191} him, and reigned {H4427} in his room.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pekach the son of Remalyahu, one of his commanders, conspired against him. With Argov, Aryeh and fifty men from Gil'ad, he assassinated him in the palace stronghold in Shomron. After killing him, he took his place as king.

Berean Standard Bible

Then his officer, Pekah son of Remaliah, conspired against him along with Argob, Arieh, and fifty men of Gilead. And at the citadel of the king’s palace in Samaria, Pekah struck down and killed Pekahiah and reigned in his place.

American Standard Version

And Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the castle of the king’s house, with Argob and Arieh; and with him were fifty men of the Gileadites: and he slew him, and reigned in his stead.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The biblical account records a significant and violent event in the Northern Kingdom of Israel: the assassination of King Pekahiah by Pekah, son of Remaliah. This act of regicide unfolded in Samaria, the nation's capital, specifically within the confines of the royal palace. Pekah, identified as one of Pekahiah's own military captains, orchestrated this conspiracy with the direct involvement of two named individuals, Argob and Arieh, and a contingent of fifty men from the Gileadites. Following the successful execution of the king, Pekah immediately seized the throne, thereby perpetuating the pervasive cycle of political instability and bloodshed that characterized the later years of Israel's monarchy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a particularly volatile section of [2 Kings 15](/2_kings/15 "2 Kings 15 - The Reigns of Kings in Israel and Judah"), which chronicles a rapid succession of short, often violent, reigns in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Immediately preceding this event, [2 Kings 15:23-24](/2_kings/15-23-24 "2 Kings 15:23-24 - Pekahiah's Reign") details the brief, two-year reign of Pekahiah, son of Menahem, consistently noting that he "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord." The narrative pattern throughout this chapter highlights the escalating chaos and moral decay in Israel, contrasting sharply with the more stable (though not always righteous) Davidic dynasty in Judah, whose kings are also presented. This assassination is not an isolated incident but part of a recurring motif of regicide, underscoring the profound political and spiritual breakdown that ultimately set the stage for Israel's downfall and exile, a theme that culminates in [2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Samaria").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mid-8th century BCE, the period described in [2 Kings 15](/2_kings/15 "2 Kings 15 - Political Turmoil in Israel and Judah"), was a time of intense internal fragmentation and external pressure for the Northern Kingdom. Unlike the established succession of the Davidic line in Judah, Israel's kings frequently ascended to power through violent coups, indicating a profound breakdown of legitimate dynastic authority and central governance. The specific mention of "Gileadites" is culturally significant, as Gilead was a Transjordanian territory known for its rugged independence and often distinct identity, suggesting Pekah leveraged a regional power base. Spiritually, the nation was deeply corrupted by persistent idolatry, particularly the worship of the golden calves introduced by [Jeroboam I](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves"), which led to widespread moral decay and political instability. This internal turmoil was exacerbated by the growing threat of the Neo-Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III, whose expansionist policies would soon lead to Israel's subjugation and eventual exile.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Kings 15:25](/2_kings/15-25 "2 Kings 15:25 - Pekah's Assassination and Usurpation") powerfully illustrates the dominant theme of **Usurpation and Violence** that pervades the history of the Northern Kingdom. This constant cycle of regicide, where kings seize power through bloodshed rather than divine appointment, stands in stark contrast to the divinely sanctioned Davidic covenant in Judah. The passage also highlights the profound **Political Instability** that plagued Israel, a direct consequence of their persistent apostasy and abandonment of God's covenant. Their reliance on human strength and political maneuvering, rather than seeking divine guidance, led to a perpetual state of chaos. Furthermore, the verse implicitly underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience**, as the internal strife and violence are presented as manifestations of divine judgment against a nation that consistently "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" ([2 Kings 15:24](/2_kings/15-24 "2 Kings 15:24 - Pekahiah's Wicked Reign")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Conspired (Hebrew, _qâshar'_):** This verb, derived from a root meaning "to tie" or "to bind together," carries a strong connotation of forming a secret alliance or plot, especially in a political context. Its usage here emphasizes the premeditated, organized, and treacherous nature of Pekah's actions, highlighting a deliberate act of treason against the reigning monarch. It signifies a calculated effort to overthrow the established authority through clandestine means.
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** A versatile Hebrew verb, _nâkâh'_ denotes striking, beating, or killing. In the context of this verse, it unequivocally signifies a fatal blow, emphasizing the decisive and violent act of assassination. The directness of the verb underscores the brutality and finality of Pekahiah's death, leaving no doubt about the immediate outcome of Pekah's conspiracy.
* **Palace (Hebrew, _ʼarmôwn'_):** This term refers to a citadel or royal residence, derived from a root meaning "to be elevated." Its inclusion specifies the location of the assassination, not merely within the capital city of Samaria, but within the very heart of royal power. This detail emphasizes the audacity of the coup and the vulnerability of the king even within his most fortified dwelling, signifying a complete seizure of the seat of authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him":** This opening clause immediately identifies the primary antagonist, Pekah, and his lineage, Remaliah. Crucially, he is described as "a captain of his," highlighting the profound betrayal of a trusted military officer against his king, Pekahiah. The verb "conspired" establishes the premeditated and treacherous nature of the act, signifying a deliberate plot to overthrow the monarch.
* **"and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house":** This specifies the precise location of the regicide. Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom, and the "palace of the king's house" denotes the royal residence itself. This detail underscores the audacious nature of the coup, as the king was struck down in the very seat of his power, demonstrating the complete breakdown of security and loyalty within the royal court.
* **"with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites":** This part of the verse reveals the co-conspirators and the military force behind Pekah's coup. Argob and Arieh are named individuals, suggesting they were key figures in the plot. The "fifty men of the Gileadites" indicates a significant armed contingent, likely Pekah's loyal regional forces from Gilead, providing the necessary military might to execute the assassination and secure the throne.
* **"and he killed him, and reigned in his room":** This concluding phrase succinctly states the immediate and successful outcome of the conspiracy. "He killed him" confirms the regicide, leaving no ambiguity about Pekahiah's fate. "And reigned in his room" signifies the immediate and successful usurpation of the throne, establishing Pekah as the new king and continuing the turbulent pattern of violent succession in the Northern Kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to underscore the chaos and moral decay prevalent in the Northern Kingdom. **Irony** is powerfully present in the fact that Pekah, "a captain of his" (Pekahiah's), betrays and murders his own king, highlighting the profound breakdown of loyalty and order within Israelite society. The specific mention of "Samaria, in the palace of the king's house" utilizes **Setting** to emphasize the audacity and completeness of the coup, as the very heart of royal power becomes the scene of its violent overthrow. Furthermore, the recurring pattern of regicide throughout [2 Kings](/2_kings "The Books of Kings") serves as a form of **Repetition**, reinforcing the theme of divine judgment and the dire consequences of Israel's persistent apostasy. This continuous cycle of violence also acts as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the nation's ultimate demise and divine judgment, a theme that tragically culminates in [2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Samaria").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, a stark depiction of regicide, is deeply embedded within the broader theological narrative of 2 Kings, particularly the pervasive theme of divine judgment on the Northern Kingdom for its persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. The relentless cycle of violence and instability, where kings rise and fall through bloodshed and betrayal, is consistently presented as a direct consequence of Israel's abandonment of YHWH. Unlike the enduring Davidic covenant which promised a stable, though often challenged, dynasty in Judah, the Northern Kingdom’s kings are repeatedly shown to be products of human ambition and brute force, leading to chronic chaos and a distinct lack of true, God-ordained leadership. This profound instability serves as a vivid illustration of the principle that when a nation rejects divine authority and embraces its own way, it inevitably descends into self-destructive patterns.

* [1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28-30 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Sin of the Golden Calves") - Describes Jeroboam's establishment of idolatry, which became the foundational "sin of Israel" and a recurring indictment against subsequent northern kings.
* [Hosea 8:4](/hosea/8-4 "Hosea 8:4 - Israel's Kings Chosen Without God") - A prophetic lament against Israel's kings: "They set up kings, but not by me; they made princes, but I knew it not," directly addressing the illegitimate nature of their rule.
* [2 Kings 17:7-18](/2_kings/17-7-18 "2 Kings 17:7-18 - Reasons for Israel's Exile") - Provides a comprehensive theological explanation for Israel's eventual exile, citing their widespread disobedience, idolatry, and rejection of God's statutes, of which the political chaos is a direct symptom.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The grim narrative of Pekahiah's assassination and Pekah's usurpation offers profound and enduring insights for contemporary reflection. It serves as a stark and sobering reminder that unchecked ambition, an insatiable thirst for power, and a fundamental departure from divine principles inevitably lead to chaos, destruction, and moral decay, not only for individuals but for entire societies. The pervasive instability of the Northern Kingdom, marked by betrayal, violence, and a continuous cycle of unrighteous rule, underscores the critical importance of righteous leadership and an unwavering adherence to a moral framework rooted in God's eternal truth. When human institutions and leaders operate outside of God's design, prioritizing their own gain or worldly power over the welfare of the people or the glory of God, the inevitable result is a downward spiral of corruption and self-destruction. For believers, this account challenges us to deeply examine our own hearts for any seeds of self-serving ambition or disloyalty, and to earnestly pray for and actively uphold leaders who genuinely seek justice, truth, and the common good, recognizing that true stability, lasting peace, and genuine flourishing flow only from submission to God's ultimate sovereignty and His benevolent moral law. It also powerfully reminds us that even amidst the darkest displays of human depravity and political turmoil, God remains immutably sovereign, and His divine purposes, whether expressed in judgment or in ultimate redemption, will always prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the relentless cycle of violence and usurpation in the Northern Kingdom vividly illustrate the profound consequences of a society that has decisively departed from God's covenant?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways might unchecked ambition and the relentless pursuit of power, disconnected from God's will, manifest in our own lives, our communities, or in contemporary political and social structures?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the intrinsic nature of true, God-ordained authority and leadership, and how does it sharply contrast with the unstable, self-serving reigns depicted here?**

### FAQ

**Who was Pekahiah, and why was he assassinated?**

Answer: Pekahiah was the son of Menahem and served as king of Israel for a brief two-year period (c. 742-740 BCE) in Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom. The biblical text in [2 Kings 15:24](/2_kings/15-24 "2 Kings 15:24 - Pekahiah's Evil Reign") explicitly states that he "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord; he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin." He was violently assassinated by Pekah, one of his own military captains, with the assistance of Argob, Arieh, and fifty Gileadites. The immediate motive for the assassination, typical of many such coups in the Northern Kingdom, was likely Pekah's ambition to seize the throne, fueled by the prevailing political instability and the absence of a divinely sanctioned succession plan, unlike the Davidic line in Judah.

**What is the significance of the "Gileadites" in this assassination plot?**

Answer: The specific mention of "fifty men of the Gileadites" is highly significant because it indicates that Pekah, who himself originated from Gilead ([2 Kings 15:25](/2_kings/15-25 "2 Kings 15:25 - Pekah from Gilead")), drew substantial support from his home region. Gilead was a territory located east of the Jordan River, renowned for its rugged terrain and its inhabitants' reputation for fierce independence and martial prowess. Their involvement suggests that Pekah commanded a strong regional power base and a loyal military contingent, which was crucial for successfully executing the coup against Pekahiah in the capital, Samaria. This detail vividly highlights the fragmented and often tribal political landscape of Israel, where regional loyalties and military strength played a decisive role in the violent succession of kings.

**How does this event fit into the broader narrative of the Northern Kingdom's decline?**

Answer: The assassination of Pekahiah by Pekah is a quintessential example of the numerous violent turnovers of power that characterized the latter, declining years of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, as meticulously chronicled in [2 Kings](/2_kings "The Books of Kings"). This relentless cycle of regicide, political instability, and pervasive moral decay is consistently presented as a direct and tragic consequence of Israel's persistent idolatry and their profound rejection of God's covenant, a pattern initiated by [Jeroboam I](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves"). Each successive king, including Pekahiah, is condemned for perpetuating "the sins of Jeroboam." This internal political chaos, serving as a glaring symptom of deep spiritual apostasy, severely weakened the nation, rendering it increasingly vulnerable to the rising external powers. This period of intense internal strife directly precedes the devastating Assyrian conquest and the ultimate fall of Samaria, detailed in [2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Samaria"), thereby serving as a vivid and tragic illustration of God's unfolding judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tumultuous reign of Pekahiah and his violent overthrow by Pekah in [2 Kings 15:25](/2_kings/15-25 "2 Kings 15:25 - Pekah's Assassination of Pekahiah") serves as a poignant illustration of the profound brokenness inherent in human leadership and the desperate, universal need for a true, eternal King. The unending cycle of ambition, betrayal, and bloodshed that plagued the Northern Kingdom stands in stark and illuminating contrast to the perfect, unwavering, and righteous reign of Jesus Christ. Unlike the kings of Israel who seized power through violence and ruled for short, often wicked, durations, Jesus' kingship is fundamentally "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), established not by human might or political coup, but by divine appointment and sacrificial love. He is the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant, the promised King whose throne is everlasting and whose kingdom will never end ([2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - Davidic Covenant Promise")). While Pekahiah's reign ended abruptly in a palace coup, Jesus' reign began not with a crown, but with a cross, where He conquered sin and death, not by striking down His enemies, but by laying down His life as the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). He is the King of peace ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace")), whose kingdom is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy")). The instability, moral decay, and violent succession depicted in 2 Kings powerfully underscore humanity's inherent inability to govern itself righteously apart from God, pointing forward to the one King who rules with perfect wisdom and unfailing love, offering true security, eternal life, and genuine peace to all who submit to His benevolent and sovereign reign ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness into His Kingdom")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 28:6

¶ For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, [which were] all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.

1 Kings 16:9

And his servant Zimri, captain of half [his] chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of [his] house in Tirzah.

2 Kings 9:14

So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had kept Ramothgilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria.

2 Kings 9:5

And when he came, behold, the captains of the host [were] sitting; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain. And Jehu said, Unto which of all us? And he said, To thee, O captain.

2 Kings 15:10

And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.

2 Kings 15:27

In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, [and reigned] twenty years.