מלכים ב, פרק ט״ו, פסוק י״ז

The ascension of Menahem son of Gadi marks a turbulent chapter for the kingdom of Israel, defined by deep political instability and submission to foreign powers.

The timing of his rise to power requires careful calculation. While his reign is associated with the thirty-ninth year of Azariah, king of Judah, it actually began just after that year concluded. His predecessor, Shallum, held the throne for a mere month at the very end of that thirty-ninth year. Immediately following this brief stint, at the dawn of the fortieth year, Menahem seized control. The ten years he spent on the throne were not complete calendar years, but rather partial ones [מצודת דוד].

Throughout this decade, Menahem committed evil in the eyes of God. His time in power was heavily defined by a crisis from abroad when Pul, the king of Assyria, invaded the land. Desperate to secure his grip on the throne and maintain control over his fragile kingdom, Menahem was forced to pay a massive tribute of one thousand talents of silver.

Satisfied with this payout, the Assyrian king took the wealth and returned to his own country. He offered nothing in return, leaving the region entirely without providing Israel any protection against their other surrounding enemies [אברבנאל].