After his predecessor Mitinti I instigated an unsuccessful rebellion against the emperor Tiglath-Pileser III in Ashkelon, Rukibtu deposed him and usurped the throne for himself.
Tiglath-Pileser III's annals call him "Rukibtu, son of [...]" - the name of his father has not survived.
Some scholars have suggested that his father was Mitinti I, however, kings of ignoble origins were often called "son of a nobody" in Assyrian and Babylonian sources, and with Rukibtu having usurped the throne, this possibility cannot be ruled out.
[3] Rukibtu was succeeded by Sidqa, who also instigated a failed revolt against Assyrian authority.
Sennacherib then deposed Sidqa, and placed Rukibtu's son Šarru-lu-dari on the throne of Ashkelon.