מלכים ב, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ל״ז

The rising threat against the kingdom of Judah marks a distinct turning point in the regional balance of power, signaling the dawn of a highly turbulent era. God began to actively incite and dispatch foreign adversaries against Judah, an action reminiscent of the plague of wild beasts He unleashed in Egypt. The specific enemies sent to threaten the kingdom were Rezin, the king of Aram, and Pekah son of Remaliah, the king of Israel [שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל].

There are differing perspectives regarding exactly when this hostility was set into motion. One approach suggests that the tension began during the final years of the reign of Jotham, king of Judah [רש״י, מלבי״ם]. According to this view, the animosity from the kings of Aram and Israel was already brewing while Jotham was still alive, though the actual war was delayed until the reign of his son and successor, Ahaz [אברבנאל]. Conversely, another perspective maintains that this period of hostility only began after Jotham had passed away [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, רלב״ג].

Ultimately, the combined military strike by Aram and Israel against Jerusalem materialized during the rule of Ahaz, serving as a divine punishment for his many sins. The two kings joined forces, inflicting a devastating blow upon Judah and laying siege to Jerusalem itself. Despite their overwhelming force, they were unable to completely conquer and destroy the city. God showed mercy to Judah, ensuring that Jerusalem would not be entirely ruined [רלב״ג].