19 Pul , king of Assyria , came against the land , and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver so that his hand might be with him to strengthen the kingdom under his rule . 20 Then Menahem exacted the money from Israel , even from all the mighty men of wealth , from each man fifty shekels of silver to pay the king of Assyria . So the king of Assyria returned and did not remain there in the land . 21 Now the rest of the acts of Menahem and all that he did , are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles e of the Kings of Israel ? 22 And Menahem slept with his fathers , and Pekahiah his son became king in his place .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:19-22
Commentary on 2 Kings 15:8-31
(Read 2 Kings 15:8-31)
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.