3B

3B

King Menachem heard a report that the herald of God Most High was seen in the city, and his ministers brought to mind the words of Jashen in the days of King Shallum. So he tore down the shrines of the idols of the Edomites, and caused them to be melted to slag. Then Menachem ordered Jashen to be brought before his throne in Samaria.

And the king said to Jashen, "Behold, the idols of the Edomites are no more. Bless you, then, my reign, in the name of God Most High that I may live long and lead the people into all righteousness."

But Jashen said, "God Most High has judged, O King, that a great evil was carried out in Tiphsah, even to the slaying of women who were with child. Now therefore Judah has become the apple of his eye, and God has sworn to have nothing further to do with any king who rules from this city."

Then Menachem waxed in wrath, and ordered Jashen to depart from his presence. So Jashen went to the cities of the tribe of Manesseh and chose from among them five righteous men who had never performed worship at the shrines of the idols of the Edomites in Samaria.

And the names of the righteous Manessehites were Bashemath and Abihud and Ishiah and Imlah and Ithiel.

Bashemath knew his wife and begat Eder and Ahishamar and Shammah. And Abuihud knew his wife and begat Raphi and Anah and Hezion. And Ishiah knew his wife and begat Zephi and Jerah and Harhas. And Imlah knew his wife and begat Alemeth and Henadad and Zidon. And Ithiel knew his wife and begat Hassenaah and Pahath and Hori.

The same Manessehites built Menkant in the valley of the upper Sabik River between Mount Rasal and Mount Menkant. Their settlement grew to become the leading city among the tribes in the south of Haaretz. In time these became the kingdom of Hamar.

And King Menachem exacted a head tax of fifty shekels upon every male in Samaria that he might give tribute to King Tiglat of Assyria. He reigned for ten years in Samaria, and his son Pekahiah ascended to the throne upon his death.

Pekahiah reigned for two years before word came to him that Elin and Jashen, bothj servant of God Most High, were seen in the city. And the king gave commandmnent these B'nei Elohim should appear before his throne.