fifty-second year of Azariah’s reign: Pekah became king in the last year of Uzziah’s rule, 740 BC. Due to the relationship between Tiglath-pileser and Menahem, Pekah limited his influence to Gilead while Menahem ruled from 752 to 742 BC. After Menahem died, Pekahiah appointed Pekah as an army commander. This role gave Pekah more support and allowed him to make himself king of Israel in 740 BC.