Sennacherib, the son of Sargon II, was the king of Assyria from 705 to 681 BC. He is one of the most prominent Assyrian monarchs mentioned in the Bible, known for his military campaigns and his confrontation with the Kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah.

Historical Context

Sennacherib ascended to the throne following the death of his father, Sargon II. His reign is marked by significant military campaigns aimed at consolidating Assyrian power and expanding its territories. Sennacherib's most notable campaign was against the Kingdom of Judah, which is extensively documented in the Bible, Assyrian records, and archaeological findings.

Biblical Account

The Bible provides a detailed account of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah in 701 BC. In 2 Kings 18:13-19:37, 2 Chronicles 32:1-22, and Isaiah 36-37, Sennacherib's campaign against Judah is described. The Assyrian king laid siege to several fortified cities of Judah, including Lachish, before turning his attention to Jerusalem.

In 2 Kings 18:13 , it is recorded: "In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them." Sennacherib sent envoys to Jerusalem to demand its surrender, mocking Hezekiah's trust in the LORD and boasting of his previous conquests.

Hezekiah, in response, sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and prayed earnestly for divine intervention. The LORD, through Isaiah, assured Hezekiah of deliverance. In 2 Kings 19:35 , it is written: "And that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!"

Archaeological Evidence

The historical account of Sennacherib's campaign is corroborated by Assyrian records, notably the Taylor Prism, which details Sennacherib's military exploits. The prism describes the siege of Jerusalem but notably omits its capture, aligning with the biblical narrative of divine intervention.

Sennacherib's Legacy

Sennacherib's reign ended in 681 BC when he was assassinated by his own sons, as prophesied in Isaiah 37:7 : "Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword." This event is also recorded in 2 Kings 19:37 : "One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat."

Sennacherib's death marked a significant turning point in Assyrian history, leading to a period of instability until the ascension of his son, Esarhaddon. Despite his military prowess, Sennacherib's failure to capture Jerusalem and his subsequent assassination highlight the biblical theme of divine sovereignty and protection over His people.