For. — And.
Menahem. — Tiglath Pileser II. records in his annals that in his eighth regnal year (i.e., B.C. 738) he took tribute of “Raçunnu (Rezin) the Damascene, and Menihimmè Samerinâ’a” — i.e., Menahem the Samaritan.
Gadi. — Or, a Gadite.
Went up from Tirzah. — Menahem was Zachariah’s general, who at the time was quartered with the troops at Tirzah, near Samaria (1 Kings 14:17). On the news of the murder of Zachariah, Menahem marched to tHe capital. The month of Shallum’s reign was probably taken up with preparations for hostilities on both sides. A battle at Samaria decided matters (Josephus). Perhaps, however, Menahem simply entered Samaria with a part of his forces.