[3][4] In 1120 David IV captured Qabala, returned to Kartli, quickly gathered an army and invaded Shirvan on 7 May and ravaged the country from Lizhata to Kurdevan and Khishtalan.

In November, the Derbentians killed Shirvanshah Afridun I in combat, giving David IV the opportunity to place his own son-in-law and vassal, Manuchihr III, in Shirvan.

The Seljuk sultan locked himself in Shamakhi after learning of the arrival of the Georgian troops, prompting David IV to halt his advance, deeming it disrespectful to pursue a retreating army.

[15] The modern historian O. Vil'chevsky has posited that Tamar's return to Georgia was precipitated by a political turmoil in Shirvan that followed Manuchihr's death.

Tamar found herself involved in a power struggle among her sons, favoring the younger, who joined her in an attempt to unite Shirvan with Georgia with the help of Kipchak mercenaries.

Manuchehr's older son Akhsitan I was able to secure support from the Eldiguzids of Azerbaijan, winning the contest for the throne and forcing Tamar and his younger brother into flight to Georgia.