tiglath-pileser Summary and Overview

(In #1Ch 5:26| and again in 2Chr 28:20 the name of this king is given as TIGLATH-PILNESER.) Tiglath-pileser is the second Assyrian king mentioned in Scripture as having come into contact with the Israelites. He attacked Samaria in the reign of Pekah, B.C. 756-736. probably because Pekah withheld his tribute, and having entered his territories, he "took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah and Janoah and Kedesh, and Hazer, and Gilead, and Galilee, and all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria." #2Ki 15:29| The date of this invasion cannot be fixed. After his first expedition a close league was formed between Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah, having for its special object the humiliation of Judah. At first great successes were gained by Pekah and his confederate, #2Ki 15:37; 2Ch 28:6-8| but on their proceeding to attack Jerusalem itself, Ahaz applied to Assyria for assistance, and Tiglath-pileser, consenting to aid him, again appeared at the head of an army in these regions. He first marched, naturally, against Damascus. which he took, #2Ki 16:9| razing it to the ground, and killing Rezin, the Damascene monarch. After this, probably, he proceeded to chastise Pekah, whose country he entered on the northeast, where it bordered upon "Syria of Damascus." Here he overran the whole district to the east of Jordan, carrying into captivity "the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh," #1Ch 5:26| Before returning into his own land, Tiglath pileser had an interview with Ahaz at Damascus. #2Ki 16:10| This is all that Scripture tells us of Tiglath-pileser. He reigned certainly from B.C. 747 to B.C. 730, and possibly a few years longer, being succeeded by Shalmaneser at least as early as B.C. 785, Tiglath-pileser's wars do not generally, appear to have been of much importance. No palace or great building can be ascribed to this king. His slabs, which are tolerably numerous show that he must have built or adorned a residence at Calah (Nimrud), where they were found.

TIG'LATH-PILE'SER (my help is the son of Esarras - i.e., Adar), "the second Assyrian king mentioned in the Scriptures as having come into contact with the Israelites," and the second of the name. He invaded Samaria. 2 Kgs 15:29, and after some years he returned and did much more damage, destroying Damascus and taking many captives, 1 Chr 5:26. The occasion of the first attack was probably the refusal of Pekah to pay tribute; of the second, the call of Ahaz upon him for assistance against Pekah and Rezin, the king of Syria. Tiglath-pileser at Damascus met Ahaz, who became his vassal. 2 Kgs. 16:10. His wars were insignificant. He reigned b.c. 747-739, having probably usurped the throne.