Live and let live. Kill and be killed. Is it really that hard to make a choice? For some, apparently so.
It isn’t always the case, but it’s certainly true here that the meaning of a man’s name is the title page of his biography. Shallum means “retribution,” and we’d be well served to remember the Lord’s words, “all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Mt 26:52). We have already seen that Israel’s previous king, Zechariah, had been assassinated. How? “Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and struck and killed him” (2 Ki 15:10). Now, within a few lines, we’re told, “Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah,…and struck Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria and killed him” (v 14). As to these rulers’ longevity we observe, “Zechariah…reigned over Israel in Samaria six months” (v 8), but “Shallum…reigned a full month in Samaria” (v 13). Clearly the life expectancy of Israel’s kings wasn’t good. I suppose if you’re only going to reign one month it better be “a full month.” But the lesson here should be as pointed as a sword. Again, our Lord has the right word on the subject: “with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Mt 7:2). If Shallum’s name could be translated “payback,” then Menahem’s name could be rendered “payout.” From the Hebrew root nâham, it can be translated “to console oneself ” and, sure enough, that’s what Menahem did. His terrible cruelty to others is noted. He not only attacked the men of the city of Tiphsah, but “all the women there who were with child he ripped open” (v 16). Mister Tough Guy! But when “Pul king of Assyria came against the land” (v 19), he buckled under, exacted silver from his wealthy citizens, and paid him off. Beware those who are cruel with the vulnerable but craven with the valiant.