2 Kings 15:29

In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

In the days {H3117} of Pekah {H6492} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} came {H935} Tiglathpileser {H8407} king {H4428} of Assyria {H804}, and took {H3947} Ijon {H5859}, and Abelbethmaachah {H62}, and Janoah {H3239}, and Kedesh {H6943}, and Hazor {H2674}, and Gilead {H1568}, and Galilee {H1551}, all the land {H776} of Naphtali {H5321}, and carried them captive {H1540} to Assyria {H804}.

During the time of Pekach king of Isra'el, Tiglat-Pil'eser king of Ashur came and conquered 'Iyon, Avel-Beit-Ma'akhah, Yanoach, Kedesh, Hatzor, Gil'ad, and the Galil - all the land of Naftali - and took them captive to Ashur.

In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria.

In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maacah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria.

Commentary

2 Kings 15:29 describes a significant moment in the decline of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, detailing the first major deportation of its inhabitants by the Assyrian Empire.

Context

This verse takes place during the tumultuous reign of Pekah, king of Israel (740-732 BC), a period marked by political instability, idolatry, and increasing foreign pressure. Pekah himself had risen to power through a coup, assassinating his predecessor, Menahem's son Pekahiah (2 Kings 15:25). The aggressor, Tiglathpileser III (also known as Pul), was a powerful and ambitious king of Assyria (745-727 BC) who systematically expanded his empire, subduing smaller nations and deporting their populations to prevent rebellion and integrate them into his vast domain. This invasion was likely a response to Pekah's anti-Assyrian alliance with Rezin, king of Aram (Syria), which also threatened the southern kingdom of Judah (see 2 Kings 16:5).

The territories mentioned—Ijon, Abelbethmaachah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, particularly "all the land of Naphtali"—were strategically important northern and eastern regions of Israel. Their capture and the subsequent deportation of their inhabitants foreshadowed the complete fall of Samaria and the end of the Northern Kingdom about a decade later under Shalmaneser V and Sargon II (2 Kings 17:6).

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The Assyrian invasion is presented as a direct consequence of Israel's persistent disobedience, idolatry, and rejection of God's covenant. This act serves as divine judgment, fulfilling warnings given centuries earlier about the consequences of forsaking God (Deuteronomy 28:64).
  • Consequences of Sin and Rebellion: The verse vividly illustrates the devastating impact of national sin. The loss of land, identity, and freedom through captivity was the culmination of generations of spiritual decline, political instability, and moral corruption within Israel.
  • Assyrian Imperial Strategy: Tiglathpileser's actions highlight Assyria's brutal but effective policy of mass deportation, designed to break the national spirit of conquered peoples and prevent future uprisings. This practice was unique to the Assyrians and profoundly impacted the identity of the "lost tribes" of Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "carried them captive" (Hebrew: higlam) strongly denotes forced deportation, a standard Assyrian practice. It implies not just military defeat but the systematic uprooting of an entire population, transferring them to foreign lands where they would be assimilated and lose their distinct national identity. This was a common method for the Assyrians to maintain control over their vast empire.

Practical Application

2 Kings 15:29 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • The Seriousness of Disobedience: God's patience is immense, but His justice is also certain. Persistent rebellion against divine principles ultimately leads to severe consequences, both for individuals and nations.
  • Heeding Warnings: The people of Israel had received numerous warnings from prophets about their impending judgment. The tragic events described here underscore the importance of listening to and acting upon divine guidance.
  • God's Sovereignty in History: Even through the actions of a pagan king like Tiglathpileser, God was working out His purposes, bringing about judgment on His disobedient people while also demonstrating His control over world powers. This can offer a perspective on current events, recognizing God's ultimate hand.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 5:26

    And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

  • 2 Kings 17:6

    In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor [by] the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

  • 2 Kings 16:7

    So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I [am] thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.

  • 1 Kings 15:20

    So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.

  • Joshua 20:7

    ¶ And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.

  • 2 Samuel 20:14

    ¶ And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.

  • 2 Samuel 20:15

    And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that [were] with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.