Topical Encyclopedia Historical ContextAssyria, a dominant empire in the ancient Near East, was known for its military prowess and expansionist policies. During the reign of King Sennacherib (705–681 BC), Assyria reached the height of its power. Sennacherib is particularly noted for his military campaigns against the Kingdom of Judah, as recorded in the Bible. Sennacherib's Campaign Against Judah Sennacherib's invasion of Judah is one of the most significant events involving Assyria in the biblical narrative. In 2 Kings 18:13, 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." This campaign was part of Sennacherib's broader strategy to consolidate Assyrian control over the Levant. Siege of Jerusalem The siege of Jerusalem is a focal point in the biblical account of Sennacherib's campaign. King Hezekiah of Judah, facing the threat of the Assyrian army, sought divine intervention. In 2 Kings 19:14-15, Hezekiah's response is described: "Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD." Divine Intervention The Bible records a miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat. In response to Hezekiah's prayer, the prophet Isaiah conveyed God's promise of protection. 2 Kings 19:32-34 states, "Therefore this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: 'He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will not 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 sake and for the sake of David My servant.'" Destruction of the Assyrian Army The fulfillment of God's promise is dramatically depicted 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. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!" This divine intervention led to the withdrawal of Sennacherib's forces and the preservation of Jerusalem. Sennacherib's Demise Sennacherib's return to Nineveh marked the end of his campaign against Judah. His death is recorded in 2 Kings 19:37: "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." Theological Significance The account of Sennacherib's defeat underscores the sovereignty of God over the nations and His ability to protect His people against overwhelming odds. It serves as a testament to the power of prayer and the faithfulness of God to His covenant promises. The destruction of the Assyrian army is a vivid demonstration of divine intervention in human history, affirming the biblical theme that God is the ultimate ruler over all earthly powers. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 19:35And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library How Sennacherib Made an Expedition against Hezekiah; What Deliverance from Assyria Titus when the Jews were not at all Mollified by his Leaving Off ... The Triumph of Faith A Prophet who Saved a Great City Hezekiah, the Praying King Nineveh. Sennacherib (705-681 BC ) Babylonia and Assyria Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC ) Resources Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Assyrians in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why were infants dashed to pieces (Nahum 3:10)? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Assyria: Alliances With, Sought by Judah and Israel Assyria: An Empire Founded by Nimrod Assyria: Antiquity and Origin of Assyria: Army of, Destroyed by the Angel of the Lord Assyria: As a Power, Was: An Instrument of God's Vengeance Assyria: As a Power, Was: Cruel and Destructive Assyria: As a Power, Was: Intolerant and Oppressive Assyria: As a Power, Was: Most Formidable Assyria: As a Power, Was: Proud and Haughty Assyria: As a Power, Was: Selfish and Reserved Assyria: As a Power, Was: Unfaithful Assyria: Called: The Land of Nimrod Assyria: Celebrated For: Extensive Commerce Assyria: Celebrated For: Extent of Conquests Assyria: Celebrated For: Fertility Assyria: Chief Men of, Described Assyria: Condemned for Oppressing God's People Assyria: Idolatry of, Brought Into Samaria Assyria: Idolatry, the Religion of Assyria: Invaded by Pharaoh-Necho Assyria: Israel Condemned for Trusting To Assyria: Israelites Carried Captive Into Assyria: Israelites Subject To Assyria: It Extended from East of the Tigris Assyria: Its Armies Invade the Land of Israel Under Pul Assyria: Jews Carried Captive To Assyria: Judah Condemned for Trusting To Assyria: Manasseh Taken Captive To Assyria: Nineveh, Chief City of Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest and Captivity of Israel By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of Syria By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of the Kenites By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Destruction of Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Invasion of Judah By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Participation in the Blessings of the Gospel Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Restoration of Israel From Assyria: Prophecies Concerning Assyria: Prophecies of Captivity of Israelites In Assyria: Pul King of Brought off by Menahem Assyria: Pul King of Invaded Israel Assyria: Sennacherib King of Assassinated by his Sons Assyria: Sennacherib King of Blasphemed the Lord Assyria: Sennacherib King of Bought off by Hezekiah Assyria: Sennacherib King of His Army Destroyed by God Assyria: Sennacherib King of Insulted and Threatened Judah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Invaded Judah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Prayed Against by Hezekiah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Reproved for Pride and Blasphemy Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Carried Israel Captive Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Imprisoned Hoshea Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Reduced Israel to Tribute Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Re-Peopled Samaria from Assyria Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Was Conspired Against by Hoshea Assyria: Situated Beyond the Euphrates Assyria: The Greatness, Extent, Duration, and Fall, Illustrated Assyria: The Jews Condemned for Following the Idolatries of Assyria: The Re-Peopling of Samaria From, Completed by Asnappar Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Asked to Aid Ahaz Against Syria Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Conquered Syria Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Ravaged Israel Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Took Money from Ahaz, But Strengthened Him Not Assyria: Watered by the River Tigris Related Terms Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences) Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences) Tig'lath-pile'ser (3 Occurrences) Tillegath-pilneser (3 Occurrences) Tilgathpilneser (3 Occurrences) Tilgath-pilneser (3 Occurrences) Til'gath-pilne'ser (3 Occurrences) |