Shallum

Shallum, son of Jabesh, conspired against Zechariah, king of Israel, assassinated him, and succeeded him as king, reigning for one month.

Shallum, mentioned in 2Ki 15:10-15, was the son of Jabesh who became the king of Israel after conspiring against and assassinating Zechariah, the previous king. Zechariah, the son of Jeroboam II, had reigned over Israel for only six months before Shallum killed him and took the throne. Shallum's reign, however, was short-lived, lasting only one month. Menahem, the son of Gadi, rose up against Shallum, attacked and killed him in Samaria, and succeeded him as king. The conspiracy and assassination carried out by Shallum reflect the political instability and violence that characterized the later years of the northern kingdom of Israel. Shallum's brief reign and his own demise demonstrate the tumultuous nature of the monarchy during this period.

The son of Jabesh, otherwise unknown. He “conspired against Zachariah, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead” (2 Kings 15:10). He reigned only “a month of days in Samaria” (15:13, marg.). Menahem rose up against Shallum and put him to death (2 Kings 15:14, 15, 17), and became king in his stead.