King Pekah

King Pekah, a ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC, is a significant yet tragic figure in biblical history. His reign is recorded in 2 Kings 15:27-31, and he serves as a reminder of Israel's spiritual decline and the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness.

Pekah came to power by assassinating King Pekahiah, his predecessor, in a coup (2 Kings 15:25). His rise to the throne, marked by treachery and violence, exemplifies the political instability that plagued Israel in its later years. This instability stemmed from Israel's persistent idolatry and rebellion against God, as outlined in the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28. Pekah ruled for twenty years during a turbulent period when both the Assyrian Empire and internal conflicts threatened the kingdom.

Pekah's reign was characterized by continued idolatry. Like the kings before him, he "did what was evil in the sight of the LORD" (2 Kings 15:28), perpetuating the sins of Jeroboam, who led Israel into worshiping golden calves (1 Kings 12:28-30). This spiritual rebellion brought God's judgment upon Israel, fulfilling His warnings about the consequences of covenant disobedience.

One of the most significant events during Pekah's reign was his alliance with Rezin, king of Aram (Syria), to resist the rising threat of Assyria. Together, they sought to pressure King Ahaz of Judah to join their coalition against Assyria, even attacking Judah when Ahaz refused (2 Kings 16:5-6; Isaiah 7:1-9). This military action is known as the Syro-Ephraimite War. However, their efforts failed, as God had decreed that Assyria would be His instrument of judgment against Israel (Isaiah 8:1-8).

Assyria, under Tiglath-Pileser III, invaded Israel and captured significant territories, including Gilead and Galilee, deporting their inhabitants to Assyria (2 Kings 15:29). This marked the beginning of the end for the northern kingdom. Pekah's rule ended in a conspiracy led by Hoshea, who assassinated him and became the last king of Israel before its ultimate fall in 722 BC.

Pekah's life illustrates the outworking of God's sovereign plan in history. His reign demonstrates the truth of God's covenant promises: blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). Israel's idolatry and rebellion under Pekah's leadership led to their decline and exile, yet even amid judgment, God remained faithful to His redemptive purposes. The prophets, such as Isaiah and Hosea, proclaimed that God would preserve a remnant and ultimately fulfill His promise of salvation through the Messiah.

Pekah's story serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the faithfulness of God. It calls believers to trust in God's sovereignty, repent of sin, and cling to His covenant promises in Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for His people.