Menahem

Menahem, name means "comforter," he is the 17th king of the northern kingdom of Israel (if Tibni is included in the court), who reigned for 10 years (c. 752—c. 742 b.c.). He was probably governor of Tirzah when Shallum, after assassinating Zechariah (probably at Ibleam), made himself king in Samaria. Menahem at once set out for the capital, slew Shallum, and made himself king (2 Ki 15:8—10, 13, 14). To gain Assyrian support for his uncertain position he paid a heavy tribute of 1,000 talents of silver to Tiglath—pileser III (called Pul in v 19). He raised the money by taxing 60,000 wealthy men of Israel to the amount of 50 shekels each (vs 19, 20). The payment of this tribute is mentioned in a cuneiform display inscription of Tiglath—pileser excavated at Calah (ANET 283). King Menahem was evil like his precursors (v 18). At Tiphsah he committed a most atrocious act. The citizens of that place did not want to accept him as king, so he captured the city, killed all the men, and ripped open all pregnant women (v 16).