15:23 reigned two years. The imminent disintegration of the northern kingdom of Israel is foreshadowed by the brief, wicked, and violent reigns of several of the kings of this period. Zachariah ruled just six months before being assassinated by Shallam, who then held the throne only one month before Menahem murdered him. Menahem, the most evil of all, did manage to reign for ten years, being succeeded by his son Pekahiah who was killed two years later by Pekah. By this time the Assyrians had begun their conquest of the nation.