4. But he did not destroy the high places. People still made sacrifices and burned incense in these places of worship.
5. The Lord caused King Azariah to become sick with leprosy. He was a leper until the day he died. Azariah lived in a separate house. His son Jotham was in charge of the king’s palace, and he judged the people.
6. All the great things that Azariah did are written in the book, The History of the Kings of Judah.
7. Azariah died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. Azariah’s son Jotham became the new king after him.
8. Zechariah son of Jeroboam ruled over Samaria in Israel for six months. This was during the 38th year that Azariah was king of Judah.
9. Zechariah did what the Lord said was wrong. He did the same things his ancestors did. He did not stop committing the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat who caused Israel to sin.
10. Shallum son of Jabesh made plans against Zechariah. Shallum killed Zechariah in Ibleam. Shallum became the new king.
11. All the other things that Zechariah did are written in the book, The History of the Kings of Israel.
12. In this way the Lord’S word came true. He had told Jehu that four generations of his descendants would be kings of Israel.
13. Shallum son of Jabesh became king of Israel during the 39th year that Uzziah was king of Judah. Shallum ruled for one month in Samaria.
14. Menahem son of Gadi came up from Tirzah to Samaria and killed Shallum son of Jabesh. Then Menahem became the new king after him.
15. All the things Shallum did, including his plans against Zechariah, are written in the book, The History of the Kings of Israel.
16. Menahem defeated Tiphsah and the area around it. The people refused to open the city gate for him. So Menahem defeated them and ripped open all the pregnant women in that city.
17. Menahem son of Gadi became king over Israel during the 39th year that Azariah was king of Judah. Menahem ruled ten years in Samaria.
18. Menahem did what the Lord said was wrong. He did not stop committing the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat who caused Israel to sin.
19. King Pul of Assyria came to fight against Israel. Menahem gave Pul 75,000 pounds of silver so that Pul would support him and help him gain complete control of the kingdom.
20. Menahem raised the money by making all the rich and powerful men pay taxes. He taxed each man 20 ounces of silver and gave the money to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria left and did not stay there in Israel.
21. All the great things that Menahem did are written in the book, The History of the Kings of Israel.
22. Menahem died and was buried with his ancestors. His son Pekahiah became the new king after him.