Topical Bible: Citizens: Wicked: Sons of Sennacherib

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Topical Encyclopedia

The sons of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, are notable figures in the biblical narrative, particularly for their role in the assassination of their father. Sennacherib, who reigned from 705 to 681 BC, is infamously remembered for his military campaigns against Judah and his blasphemous defiance against the God of Israel.

Biblical Account:

The account of Sennacherib's demise is recorded in the Book of 2 Kings and the Book of Isaiah. After Sennacherib's failed siege of Jerusalem, where the Angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (2 Kings 19:35), he returned to Nineveh. It is here that the narrative takes a dramatic turn:

"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." (2 Kings 19:37; Isaiah 37:38)

Character and Actions:

The actions of Adrammelech and Sharezer are emblematic of the wickedness that can arise even within royal families. Their patricide is a stark example of the moral decay and treachery that can exist in the hearts of individuals, regardless of their status or lineage. The assassination of Sennacherib by his own sons underscores the internal strife and instability that plagued the Assyrian empire, despite its outward might and power.

Historical and Theological Context:

From a historical perspective, the assassination of Sennacherib by his sons reflects the common occurrence of palace intrigue and violent power struggles in ancient Near Eastern monarchies. Such acts were often driven by personal ambition, political maneuvering, and the desire for power.

Theologically, the event is significant as it demonstrates the sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations and rulers. Sennacherib's blasphemy and arrogance against the God of Israel did not go unpunished. His death at the hands of his own offspring serves as a divine retribution and a fulfillment of the prophetic word delivered by Isaiah, who foretold the downfall of the Assyrian king (Isaiah 37:7).

Legacy:

The legacy of Sennacherib's sons is one of infamy and serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of wickedness and rebellion against divine authority. Their actions are a reminder of the biblical principle that "whatever a man sows, he will reap in return" (Galatians 6:7). The narrative of their treachery is preserved in Scripture as a testament to the ultimate justice of God and the futility of opposing His will.

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

The Antiquities of the Jews
... To Him; And How He Died, With His Sons Upon The ... As Also What He Did For The Punishment
Of The Wicked. ... The Nation Of The Jews And Made Them Citizens Of Those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... there in previous conquests, and were useful, respectable citizens. ... He was one of
the youthful sons of high ... to human glory in his punishment of the wicked. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The Great Slaughters and Sacrilege that were in Jerusalem.
... not slain till he had seen his sons slain before ... Titus came to the knowledge of this
wicked practice, he ... away to Titus many of the eminent citizens, and told ...
/.../chapter 13 the great slaughters.htm

The Preacher as a False Prophet.
... desire that the choicest of their sons should become ... use of it for rousing his
fellow-citizens from despair ... and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture v the preacher as.htm

Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... In reference to the sons of Eli, the Scripture ... He might prepare punishment for the
citizens of Succoth ... from the fact that he, by wicked treachery, destroyed men ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... became divided into two hostile camps, the citizens took the ... and Sennacherib, or
the revolt of Assurdainpal against his ... was not the eldest of his sons, but we ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... that he succeeded in converting, one after the other, the two sons of Hvogva ... the
estimable Fravashis;** Apaosha, the enemy of Tishtrya the wicked black horse ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... its rulers and the industry of its citizens, had amassed ... end to end in the days of
Sennacherib, while Jerusalem ... and the stumbling-blocks with the wicked; and I ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm