John Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 15:20

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, etc.] Who were most able to pay it, by which means he eased the poor, and might thereby attach them to him: of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria: that is, he required them to pay fifty shekels apiece to make up the above sum as a present to Pul; though the words in the original text lie more naturally thus, “to give to the king of Assyria fifty shekels of silver for one man”; that is, for every man in his army; which amounted to about six pounds a man: so the king of Assyria turned back; to his own country: and stayed not there in the land; in the land of Israel, neither to distress nor to help Menahem, for which he gave him the money.

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