The biblical account of men sent to Lachish is primarily found in the context of the Assyrian invasion of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. Lachish was a significant fortified city in the Shephelah region of Judah, strategically important due to its location on the main road from Jerusalem to Egypt. The events surrounding Lachish are detailed in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah.

Historical Context

Lachish was one of the principal cities of Judah, second only to Jerusalem in terms of military and administrative importance. During the late 8th century BC, the Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, launched a campaign against the Kingdom of Judah. This campaign is well-documented both in the Bible and in Assyrian records, such as the Lachish Reliefs found in Sennacherib's palace at Nineveh.

Biblical Account

In 2 Kings 18:13-17, the narrative describes how Sennacherib, king of Assyria, attacked all the fortified cities of Judah, including Lachish. The text states:

"In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish: 'I have done wrong. Withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand of me.' The king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. So Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace. At this time Hezekiah stripped the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD and from the doorposts he had overlaid and gave it to the king of Assyria."

The Assyrian king was at Lachish when Hezekiah sent this message, indicating the city's importance as a military base during the campaign.

The Siege of Lachish

The siege of Lachish is further detailed in 2 Chronicles 32:9, which states:

"Later, when Sennacherib king of Assyria and all his forces were laying siege to Lachish, he sent his servants to Jerusalem with a message for Hezekiah king of Judah and for all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem."

This passage highlights the strategic significance of Lachish as a staging ground for the Assyrian assault on Jerusalem. The siege of Lachish was a critical moment in Sennacherib's campaign, as capturing the city would have allowed the Assyrians to control the region and threaten Jerusalem directly.

Prophetic Context

The prophet Isaiah also references the events surrounding Lachish. In Isaiah 36:2, it is recorded:

"Then the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh with a great army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And he stood by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field."

This passage underscores the role of Lachish as a base of operations for the Assyrian military, from which they dispatched envoys to demand the surrender of Jerusalem.

Archaeological Evidence

The historical and biblical accounts of Lachish are corroborated by archaeological findings. The Lachish Reliefs, discovered in Sennacherib's palace, depict the siege and capture of the city, providing a visual representation of the events described in the Bible. Additionally, excavations at Lachish have uncovered evidence of the city's destruction, consistent with the Assyrian conquest.

Significance

The account of men sent to Lachish illustrates the geopolitical and military challenges faced by the Kingdom of Judah during the Assyrian period. It highlights the faith and resilience of Hezekiah and the people of Judah in the face of overwhelming odds. The events at Lachish serve as a testament to the historical accuracy of the biblical narrative and the enduring legacy of the biblical text in understanding the ancient Near East.