The Assyrian Empire, known for its military prowess and expansive conquests, plays a significant role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The kings of Assyria are often depicted as instruments of God's judgment against the Israelites for their idolatry and disobedience.

Tiglath-Pileser III (Pul)

Tiglath-Pileser III, also known as Pul, reigned from 745 to 727 BC and is one of the most prominent Assyrian kings mentioned in the Bible. He is credited with significant military reforms and expansion of the Assyrian Empire. In 2 Kings 15:19, Pul is mentioned as having received tribute from Menahem, king of Israel: "Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver to gain his support and strengthen his own hold on the kingdom."

Tiglath-Pileser III also played a crucial role in the downfall of the Northern Kingdom. In 2 Kings 15:29, he is noted for capturing several cities in Israel: "In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee—all the land of Naphtali—and he took the people to Assyria."

Shalmaneser V

Shalmaneser V, who reigned from 727 to 722 BC, is known for his siege of Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In 2 Kings 17:3-6, Shalmaneser is described as having laid siege to Samaria for three years, ultimately leading to the city's fall and the exile of the Israelites: "Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up to attack Hoshea, who had been Shalmaneser's vassal and had paid him tribute. But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired by sending envoys to So king of Egypt, and he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as he had done year by year. Therefore, Shalmaneser seized him and put him in prison. Then the king of Assyria invaded the entire land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria."

Sargon II

Sargon II, who reigned from 722 to 705 BC, succeeded Shalmaneser V and completed the conquest of Samaria. Although not directly named in the Bible, Sargon II is believed to be the king who finalized the deportation of the Israelites, as referenced in Isaiah 20:1: "In the year that the chief commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it."

Sennacherib

Sennacherib, reigning from 705 to 681 BC, is one of the most well-documented Assyrian kings in the Bible. His campaign against Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah is detailed in 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37. Sennacherib's invasion is marked by his siege of Jerusalem, where he taunted Hezekiah and the God of Israel. In 2 Kings 19:35, the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem is recorded: "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!"

Esarhaddon

Esarhaddon, who reigned from 681 to 669 BC, is mentioned in the context of the rebuilding of Babylon and his interactions with the surrounding nations. In 2 Kings 19:37, he is noted as the successor of Sennacherib: "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. And his son Esarhaddon reigned in his place."

Ashurbanipal

Ashurbanipal, reigning from 669 to 627 BC, is not directly mentioned in the Bible, but his reign represents the height of Assyrian power and cultural achievement. His extensive library at Nineveh is one of the most significant archaeological finds, providing valuable insights into Assyrian history and culture.

The Assyrian kings, through their interactions with Israel and Judah, serve as a testament to the biblical theme of divine sovereignty, where God uses nations and rulers to accomplish His purposes, often as a means of judgment and correction for His people.