Topical Bible: Children: Wicked: Sennacherib's Sons

◄ Children: Wicked: Sennacherib's Sons ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, is a prominent figure in the Bible, known for his military campaigns and his confrontation with the Kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. His sons, however, are noted in the Scriptures for their wickedness, particularly in the context of their father's demise.

Background of Sennacherib:

Sennacherib reigned as king of Assyria from 705 to 681 BC. He is most famously known in the Bible for his siege of Jerusalem, which is recorded in 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37. Despite his formidable army and previous conquests, Sennacherib's campaign against Jerusalem ended in failure due to divine intervention. The angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to retreat to Nineveh (2 Kings 19:35-36).

The Wickedness of Sennacherib's Sons:

The Bible briefly mentions the wickedness of Sennacherib's sons in the context of their father's assassination. After his return to Nineveh, Sennacherib was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch when he was murdered by two of his sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer. This act of patricide is recorded in 2 Kings 19:37 and Isaiah 37:38:

"And as he was worshiping in the house 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." (2 Kings 19:37)

This violent act not only highlights the treachery and wickedness of Sennacherib's sons but also fulfills the prophecy given by the prophet Isaiah regarding Sennacherib's downfall (Isaiah 37:7).

Historical and Theological Context:

The assassination of Sennacherib by his sons is significant both historically and theologically. Historically, it reflects the turbulent nature of Assyrian politics, where power struggles and assassinations were not uncommon. Theologically, it underscores the biblical theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of prophecy. Sennacherib's arrogance and blasphemy against the God of Israel were met with divine retribution, as foretold by the prophet Isaiah.

Esarhaddon:

Following the assassination, Esarhaddon, another son of Sennacherib, ascended to the throne. Unlike his brothers, Esarhaddon is not directly associated with the act of murder in the biblical account. His reign is noted for its relative stability and efforts to rebuild Babylon, which had been destroyed by his father.

In summary, the account of Sennacherib's sons serves as a cautionary tale of wickedness and the consequences of defying the divine will. Their actions are a stark reminder of the moral and spiritual decay that can accompany the pursuit of power and ambition.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 19:37
And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Book 9 Footnotes
... our common copies, he was at first a wicked king, and ... therein be reduced to eat their
own children, as the ... notice, that these two sons of Sennacherib, that ran ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the ... Hezekiah, and Josiah was the son
of wicked Amon. ... The miraculous destruction of Sennacherib's army was not so ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... Next follows the history of Sennacherib's invasion and overthrow ... of Zion and the
dispersion of her children; and he ... peace, saith my God, to the wicked" (chaps.48 ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Intercessory Prayer
... another royal example, turn to Hezekiah with Sennacherib's letter spread ... Mothers,
bear your children before God ... Men and brethren, let us take a wicked world and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/intercessory prayer.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... people, and the strength of the children of Israel ... The destruction of Sennacherib's
army by the destroying ... of the triple league between Satan, wicked kings, and ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

Isaiah
... The wicked will not learn from the divine judgments ... appeal to Israel, but hardly
to Sennacherib; it rests ... shall be glorious: her scattered children shall stream ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/isaiah.htm