The Assyrian Empire, known for its military prowess and expansive conquests, plays a significant role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The kings of Assyria are often depicted as instruments of God's judgment against the Israelites for their idolatry and disobedience.

Tiglath-Pileser III (Pul)

Tiglath-Pileser III, also known as Pul, reigned from approximately 745 to 727 BC. He is mentioned in 2 Kings 15:19-20, where Menahem, king of Israel, paid him tribute to secure his support. This marked the beginning of Assyrian influence over Israel. Tiglath-Pileser III is also noted for his campaigns against the Northern Kingdom, as recorded in 2 Kings 15:29: "In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee—all the land of Naphtali—and he took the people to Assyria."

Shalmaneser V

Shalmaneser V succeeded Tiglath-Pileser III and reigned from 727 to 722 BC. He is primarily known for his siege of Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. 2 Kings 17:3-6 describes how Hoshea, the last king of Israel, became a vassal to Shalmaneser but later rebelled, leading to the Assyrian king's campaign against Samaria. The city fell after a three-year siege, resulting in the exile of the Israelites: "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria."

Sargon II

Sargon II, who reigned from 722 to 705 BC, is often credited with completing the conquest of Samaria, although the Bible does not mention him by name in this context. His reign is noted for the further consolidation of Assyrian power and the resettlement of conquered peoples, as seen in Isaiah 20:1: "In the year that the Tartan came to Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and he fought against Ashdod and captured it."

Sennacherib

Sennacherib, son of Sargon II, reigned from 705 to 681 BC. His military campaigns against Judah are well-documented in the Bible. In 2 Kings 18-19, Sennacherib invades Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah, capturing fortified cities and demanding tribute. However, his siege of Jerusalem is famously thwarted by divine intervention, as recorded in 2 Kings 19:35: "That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians."

Esarhaddon

Esarhaddon, who reigned from 681 to 669 BC, is mentioned in 2 Kings 19:37 and Isaiah 37:38 as the successor of Sennacherib after his assassination. His reign is characterized by rebuilding efforts and further expansion of the Assyrian Empire. Esarhaddon is noted for his campaigns in Egypt and his attempts to maintain control over the vast territories of the empire.

Ashurbanipal

Ashurbanipal, reigning from 669 to 627 BC, is not directly mentioned in the Bible, but his reign represents the height of Assyrian cultural and military power. Known for his vast library at Nineveh, Ashurbanipal's era is marked by both cultural achievements and brutal military campaigns.

The kings of Assyria, as depicted in the Bible, serve as both adversaries and instruments of divine judgment. Their interactions with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah highlight the themes of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of disobedience to God.