Pekah, the son of Remaliah, became the king of Israel, traditionally known as Ephraim in the Book of Mormon narrative. His rule, which lasted for about twenty years, was characterized by his iniquity and disregard for the commandments, as he practiced what was considered evil in the sight of the Lord. Pekah’s rise to power occurred through the violent overthrow of his predecessor, whom he assassinated to claim the throne (2 Kings 15:25-30). Pekah’s reign is predominantly known for his aggressive political and military actions.
One notable military campaign during his reign was the joint invasion of the kingdom of Judah. In this endeavor, Pekah allied with Rezin, the king of Syria, to challenge the Judahite king Ahaz. Together, they marched against Jerusalem, but their efforts failed to conquer the city (2 Nephi 17:1; Isaiah 7:1). This invasion would ultimately have significant consequences for both the kingdom of Israel and Syria.
Despite his initial success in securing the throne and his bold military ambitions, Pekah’s story ended similarly to how it began—with a conspiracy and assassination. His reign concluded when he fell victim to a plot that took his life, a frequent occurrence in the turbulent history of Israel’s monarchy (2 Kings 15:30). Pekah’s life and rule are cautionary tales about the instability of power seized by violence and the outcomes of leadership that deviates from spiritual principles.