Open-eyed, the son of Remaliah a captain in the army of Pekahiah, king of Israel, whom he slew, with the aid of a band of Gileadites, and succeeded (B.C. 758) on the throne ([2 Kings 15:25](/2kgs#2Kgs.15.25)). Seventeen years after this he entered into an alliance with Rezin, king of Syria, and took part with him in besieging Jerusalem ([2 Kings 15:37](/2kgs#2Kgs.15.37); [16:5](/2kgs#2Kgs.16.5)). But Tiglath-pilser, who was in alliance with Ahaz, king of Judah, came up against Pekah, and carried away captive many of the inhabitants of his kingdom ([2 Kings 15:29](/2kgs#2Kgs.15.29)). This was the beginning of the “Captivity.” Soon after this Pekah was put to death by Hoshea, the son of Elah, who usurped the throne ([2 Kings 15:30](/2kgs#2Kgs.15.30); [16:1-9](/2kgs#2Kgs.16.1). Comp. [Isa. 7:16](/isa#Isa.7.16); [8:4](/isa#Isa.8.4); [9:12](/isa#Isa.9.12)). He is supposed by some to have been the “shephard” mentioned in [Zech. 11:16](/zech#Zech.11.16).