What does 2 Kings 15:17 Mean?

Context Summary

The usurping murderer Shallum enjoyed but a very brief reign, occupying the throne for one month only, and then being slain by Menahem, who, according to Josephus, was commander of his forces. Menahem carried his arms as far as Tiphsah, which apparently resisted this red-handed assassin. The ruthless cruelty which he showed toward the hapless citizens attracted the notice of the Assyrian monarch, and led ultimately to that invasion of Israel which terminated in its destruction. God has ever sat as Judge over the nations. His judgments and sentences are exact. With what measure we mete, it shall be measured to us again.

Menahem obtained a temporary respite by the gift of one thousand talents, which secured the alliance of the king of Assyria, turning him from an avenger into a patron. See Hosea 5:13. This was the confederacy to which Isaiah probably refers in his chapter, Isaiah 8:1-22, when he alludes to a confederacy that seemed to bode no good. But on the bosom of this cloud of menace shone, as always, the rainbow of promise which is implied in the name "Immanuel." [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Kings 15

¹  Azariah's good reign
⁵  He dying a leper, is succeeded by Jotham
⁸  Zachariah the last of Jehu's generation, reigning ill, is slain by Shallum
¹³  Shallum, reigning a month, is slain by Nenahem
¹⁶  Menahem strengthens himself by Pul
²¹  Pekahiah succeeds him
²³  Pekahiah is slain by Pekah
²⁷  Pekah is oppressed by Tiglath-pileser, and slain by Hoshea
³²  Jotham's good reign
³⁶  Ahaz succeeds him