King Pekahiah - Biography

Pekahiah succeeded his father King Menahem to become the 17th king of the separate kingdom of Israel. His 2-year reign was featureless, except to note that he continued King Jeroboam's golden calf cult. Pekahiah had no doubt followed his father's lead in maintaining his throne by buying the support of Assyria. One of his army officers, an ambitious man named Pekah, thought his people should fight for freedom from Assyria. Pekah conspired against Pekahiah, assassinated him, and succeeded him as king. (His efforts to declare independence from Assyria failed.)