Topical Encyclopedia The Siege by Sennacherib refers to the historical and biblical event where the Assyrian king Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. This event is recorded in several biblical passages, including 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37. It is a significant episode that highlights themes of faith, divine intervention, and the power of God over earthly rulers.Historical Context Sennacherib was the king of Assyria from 705 to 681 BC, succeeding his father Sargon II. The Assyrian Empire was at its zenith, having conquered much of the Near East. Sennacherib's campaign against Judah occurred around 701 BC, during a period of Assyrian expansion and consolidation of power. King Hezekiah of Judah, known for his religious reforms and efforts to centralize worship in Jerusalem, found himself facing the might of Assyria after rebelling against its dominance. Biblical Account The biblical narrative begins with Sennacherib's invasion of Judah, capturing fortified cities and demanding tribute from Hezekiah. In 2 Kings 18:13-14, it is recorded: "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." Despite paying tribute, Sennacherib's forces advanced towards Jerusalem. The Assyrian king sent his field commander, the Rabshakeh, to deliver a message of intimidation to Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem, urging them to surrender and questioning their reliance on God and Egypt for deliverance (2 Kings 18:19-25). Hezekiah's Response and Divine Intervention In response to the Assyrian threat, Hezekiah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and turned to God in prayer. Hezekiah's prayer is recorded in 2 Kings 19:15-19, where he acknowledges God's sovereignty and pleads for deliverance: "And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: 'O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God.'" God's response, delivered through Isaiah, assured Hezekiah of divine protection and the eventual downfall of the Assyrian army. Isaiah 37:33-35 states: "Therefore this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: 'He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here or come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. By the way that he came, he will return; he will not enter this city,' declares the LORD. 'I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.'" Outcome The biblical account concludes with a miraculous deliverance. In 2 Kings 19:35 , it is recorded: "And that very 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!" This divine intervention forced Sennacherib to withdraw and return to Nineveh, where he was later assassinated by his own sons (2 Kings 19:36-37). Significance The Siege by Sennacherib is a testament to God's power and faithfulness in protecting His people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God rather than human strength or alliances. The event is also significant in the broader narrative of the Bible, illustrating the theme of God's sovereignty over the nations and His ability to deliver His people against overwhelming odds. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 32:1-23After 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. Nave's Topical Index Library How Sennacherib Made an Expedition against Hezekiah; What History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Hezekiah and Sennacherib. Titus when the Jews were not at all Mollified by his Leaving Off ... Sennacherib (705-681 BC ) Micah 'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted' The Triumph of Faith The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal Isaiah Resources Who was Sennacherib in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the Branch Davidians? | GotQuestions.org Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | GotQuestions.org Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A Sieges: Being Against Round About Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt Sieges: Compassing About With Armies Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time Sieges: Setting in Array Against Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of Sieges: The Omnipresence of God Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction Related Terms Battering-rams (2 Occurrences) Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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