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2 Kings 15:25

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

2 Kings 15:25 recounts a pivotal moment in the tumultuous history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel: the assassination of King Pekahiah by his own captain, Pekah the son of Remaliah. This act of regicide occurred in Samaria, the capital, specifically within the royal palace. Pekah carried out this conspiracy with the help of fifty men, identified as Gileadites, along with two specific individuals, Argob and Arieh. Upon killing Pekahiah, Pekah immediately seized the throne, reigning in his stead.

Context

This verse is situated within a period of profound political instability and moral decline for the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The book of 2 Kings chronicles a rapid succession of kings, many of whom met violent ends, fulfilling prophecies of judgment against the nation for its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God. Pekahiah was the son of Menahem, who himself had seized the throne through violence (2 Kings 15:14), continuing a cycle of bloodshed and usurpation. The mention of the "Gileadites" indicates that Pekah garnered support from a specific tribal region known for its warriors, suggesting a regional power base for his coup. This era was characterized by internal strife and external pressure from the rising Assyrian Empire, which would eventually lead to Israel's downfall (2 Kings 17:6).

Key Themes

  • Usurpation and Violence: The verse vividly illustrates the recurring pattern of regicide and the seizure of power through violent means that plagued the Northern Kingdom. This instability was a stark contrast to the Davidic dynasty in Judah, which, despite its flaws, maintained a more consistent lineage.
  • Political Instability: The rapid turnover of rulers, often through assassination, underscores the deep political and spiritual decay of Israel. Kings were chosen by men and not by divine appointment, leading to chaos and a lack of true leadership, as lamented by the prophet Hosea (Hosea 8:4).
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the constant turmoil and violence were direct consequences of Israel's abandonment of God's covenant and their embrace of idolatry, particularly the worship of golden calves established by Jeroboam I (1 Kings 12:28-29).

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "conspired" is קָשַׁר (qashar), which means to bind together, hence to plot or conspire. It emphasizes the deliberate and organized nature of Pekah's plot.
  • "Smote him" uses the verb נָכָה (nakah), meaning to strike, beat, or kill. Its directness highlights the brutal and decisive nature of the assassination.

Significance and Application

The account of Pekahiah's assassination and Pekah's rise to power serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the destructive nature of power pursued outside of God's will. It illustrates the moral and spiritual bankruptcy that can lead to societal breakdown and political chaos. For contemporary readers, this narrative underscores:

  • The Destructive Nature of Sin: The cycle of violence and betrayal reflects the corrosive effects of a nation's departure from righteous principles.
  • The Importance of Godly Leadership: The instability in Israel contrasts sharply with the stability found when leaders seek God's guidance and rule according to His laws.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even amidst human depravity and political intrigue, God's overarching plan for judgment and redemption continues to unfold. The chaos serves as a prelude to His ultimate intervention and the fulfillment of His warnings.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 28:6 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.