Shallum (King of Israel)
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Shallum the son of Jabesh killed King Zachariah, ending the dynasty of Jehu, and took the throne of Israel. He reigned only a full month in Samaria before Menahem the son of Gadi came up from Tirzah, struck him down, and reigned in his place. Shallum's brief reign is one of several violent changes of power in Israel's final decades, the kind of turmoil the prophet Hosea condemned when he said, 'They have set up kings, but not by me.'
Biography
- Occupation
- King of Israel
- Father
- Jabesh
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
- Nationality
- Israelite
Family
Did You Know?
Shallum reigned 'a full month' (2 Kings 15:13), the second-shortest reign of any king of Israel after Zimri's seven days.
Four of Israel's last six kings were assassinated: Zachariah, Shallum, Pekahiah, and Pekah.
The same name was later used for a king of Judah: Jeremiah 22:11 calls Jehoahaz the son of Josiah 'Shallum.'
Key Chapters
Key Passages
Shallum's Conspiracy
2 Kings 15:10
Shallum strikes down the king in public, and the house of Jehu comes to an end.
10nd Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
A Full Month in Samaria
2 Kings 15:13-15
The man who took the throne by the sword loses it the same way within a month.
13hallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.
Kings, but Not by Me
Hosea 8:4
Hosea, who prophesied in these years, condemns a nation that made and unmade kings without seeking God.
4hey have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.
