King Pul of Assyria came against the land; and Menahem gave him a thousand talents of silver, so that he might help him confirm his hold on the royal power — Pul (the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III, also called Pul in some texts) emerges as the dominant external power, marking the beginning of Assyrian dominion over Israel. Menahem's payment of one thousand talents of silver (אֶלֶף כִּכַּר־כָּסֶף, *elef kikar kassef*) represents an enormous tribute that depletes the state treasury. Menahem's appeal to Assyria, motivated by the need to "confirm his hold on the royal power," reveals his insecurity despite ten years of rule. This tribute initiates the vassalage relationship that will culminate in Israel's deportation.

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