Pekahiah was the son of Menahem and became king of Israel after his father's death. He reigned for two years in Samaria. During his reign, he did not kill his predecessor but continued the policies of his father. However, Pekahiah was assassinated by his own commander-in-chief, Pekah son of Remaliah, who then became the king of Israel. This sequence of events indicates that Pekahiah did not assassinate his predecessor but was himself assassinated by his successor.