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Zechariah, the son of Jeroboam, reigned over Israel only six months, and was then treacherously slain by one of his servants, named Shallum, who proclaimed himself king. But Menahem, the general of the army, hearing of what Shallum had done, came against him and slew him, and made himself king. Menahem ruled for ten years with great cruelty, slaying those who did not wish him to be king, and destroying their towns. When he died, his son Pekahiah succeeded him. He was a wicked man also, and after a reign of two years he was treacherously put to death by one of his generals, named Pekah. Pekah made himself king, and reigned for twenty years, and he too was a cruel and sinful man.