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. Sennacherib's reign is well-documented both in biblical texts and in Assyrian records, providing a comprehensive view of his impact on the ancient Near East.

Military Campaigns and Expansion

Sennacherib inherited a vast empire from his father, Sargon II, and continued to expand Assyrian dominance. His reign was marked by numerous military campaigns aimed at consolidating Assyrian power and suppressing rebellions. One of his most notable campaigns was against Babylon, which he captured and sacked in 689 BC, demonstrating his ruthlessness and determination to maintain control over the region.

Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah

The most significant biblical account of Sennacherib is his invasion of Judah, as recorded in 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37. In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah's reign, Sennacherib attacked the fortified cities of Judah, capturing many of them. Hezekiah, seeking to appease the Assyrian king, sent tribute to Sennacherib, stripping the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD and from the pillars (2 Kings 18:14-16).

Despite the tribute, Sennacherib sent his field commander, the Rabshakeh, to Jerusalem with a large army, demanding the city's surrender. The Rabshakeh mocked Hezekiah's trust in the LORD, questioning the power of the God of Israel to deliver Jerusalem from the might of Assyria (2 Kings 18:19-35). Hezekiah, in response, sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah, who assured him of divine intervention.

Divine Intervention and Sennacherib's Defeat

The biblical narrative describes a miraculous deliverance for Jerusalem. In response to Hezekiah's prayer, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in their camp, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw and return to Nineveh (2 Kings 19:35-36). This event is seen as a testament to God's protection over His people and His power over the nations.

Sennacherib's Death

Sennacherib's demise is recorded in 2 Kings 19:37 , where it states that he was assassinated by his own sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer, while worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch. This act of patricide led to the ascension of his son Esarhaddon to the Assyrian throne.

Archaeological Corroboration

The historical accounts of Sennacherib's reign are corroborated by archaeological findings, including the famous Taylor Prism, which details his campaigns and boasts of his conquests. The prism provides an Assyrian perspective on the siege of Jerusalem, claiming that Hezekiah was "shut up like a bird in a cage," but notably omits any mention of the city's capture, aligning with the biblical account of Jerusalem's deliverance.

Sennacherib's legacy is one of both military prowess and divine judgment, as his encounters with the Kingdom of Judah highlight the sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations. His reign remains a significant period in the history of the ancient Near East, illustrating the interplay between Assyrian imperial ambitions and the faith of the people of Israel.2 Kings 18:13-37
Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.
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2 Kings 19:1
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
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2 Chronicles 32:1
After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.
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Isaiah 36:1
Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defended cities of Judah, and took them.
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Isaiah 37:1
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
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Hezekiah and Sennacherib.
... HEZEKIAH AND SENNACHERIB. Sennacherib, the King of Assyria, invaded the
land of Judah, and threatened to lay siege to Jerusalem. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/hezekiah and sennacherib.htm

How Sennacherib Made an Expedition against Hezekiah; What
... 1. It was now the fourteenth year of the government of Hezekiah, king of the two
tribes, when the king of Assyria, whose name was Sennacherib, made an ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how sennacherib made.htm

History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8
... Eastern world on the accession of Sennacherib -- Revolt of Babylon: return of
Merodach-baladan and his efforts to form a coalition against Assyria; the battle ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 8/title page.htm

Deliverance from Assyria
... Isaiah sent to him, saying, "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou
hast prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 30 deliverance from assyria.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... Murder of Sennacherib and accession of Esarhaddon: defeat of Sharezer (681 BC ... and
outbreak of the war between Karduniash, Elam, and Assyria; Elam disabled by ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... wars, we may well wonder how Sennacherib found time and means to build villas or
temples; yet he is nevertheless, among the kings of Assyria, the monarch who ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

A Strange Reward for Faithfulness
... FOR FAITHFULNESS. 'After these things, and the establishment thereof,
Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came.'"2 Chronicles 32:1. The ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a strange reward for faithfulness.htm

The Triumph of Faith
... saying. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to Me
against Sennacherib king of Assyria....33. Therefore thus ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the triumph of faith.htm

'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
... the son of Amos sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That
which thou hast prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/he uttered his voice the.htm

A Prophet who Saved a Great City
... And when men arose early the next morning, these were all dead. Then Sennacherib,
king of Assyria, went away and returned to Nineveh. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a prophet who saved a.htm

What is the significance of Assyria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

When and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Sennacherib in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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