Menahem

Menahem (meaning comforter or who conducts them) was king of Israel (c. 752–742 B.C.), son of Gadi, who seized the throne by assassinating King Shallum a month into his reign (2 Kings 15:14). His ten-year reign was marked by cruelty — he sacked Tiphsah and ripped open all the pregnant women of those who refused to open their gates — and by political capitulation to Assyria. When Pul (Tiglath-pileser III) invaded Israel, Menahem paid him a thousand talents of silver as tribute, extracted from Israel's wealthy men at fifty shekels each, securing Assyrian support for his throne (2 Kings 15:19–20).

Menahem is evaluated by the biblical historian as one who "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD" and maintained the sin of Jeroboam throughout his reign. His tribute to Assyria marks an early stage of the Assyrian domination that would eventually destroy the northern kingdom. He was succeeded by his son Pekahiah.