Topical Encyclopedia Sennacherib, the powerful king of Assyria, reigned from 705 to 681 BC and is prominently featured in the biblical narrative for his military campaigns against the Kingdom of Judah. His reign is marked by his aggressive expansionist policies and his efforts to consolidate Assyrian dominance over the Near East. The biblical account of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah is a significant event, highlighting the faith and leadership of King Hezekiah of Judah.Historical Context Sennacherib succeeded his father, Sargon II, and continued the Assyrian tradition of military conquest. His campaigns extended Assyrian influence over Babylon, Elam, and the Levant. The Assyrian Empire, under Sennacherib, was at the height of its power, characterized by its formidable army and advanced siege techniques. Biblical Account The biblical narrative of Sennacherib's invasion is primarily found in 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37. In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah's reign, Sennacherib attacked the fortified cities of Judah, capturing many of them. Hezekiah, recognizing the threat posed by the Assyrian king, initially attempted to appease Sennacherib by paying a substantial tribute, stripping the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD (2 Kings 18:13-16). Despite this tribute, Sennacherib sent his field commander, the Rabshakeh, to Jerusalem with a message of intimidation, questioning Hezekiah's reliance on God and urging the people to surrender. The Rabshakeh's speech, delivered in Hebrew to ensure the people of Jerusalem understood, mocked Hezekiah's faith and boasted of Assyria's past victories over other nations and their gods (2 Kings 18:19-35). Hezekiah's Response Faced with this dire situation, Hezekiah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and turned to prayer. Hezekiah's prayer is a profound expression of faith and reliance on God. He went to the house of the LORD, spread out the threatening letter from Sennacherib before God, and prayed for deliverance, acknowledging God's sovereignty and pleading for His intervention for the sake of His own name (2 Kings 19:14-19). Isaiah, the prophet, delivered God's response to Hezekiah, assuring him that Sennacherib would not enter Jerusalem. The LORD declared that He would defend the city for His own sake and for the sake of His servant David (2 Kings 19:32-34). Divine Intervention The biblical account records a miraculous deliverance for Jerusalem. "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!" (2 Kings 19:35). 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 account of Sennacherib's invasion and Hezekiah's prayer is a powerful testament to the faithfulness of God in protecting His people. It underscores the importance of trusting in God rather than human strength or alliances. Hezekiah's reliance on prayer and the prophetic word of Isaiah serves as an enduring example of leadership rooted in faith and humility. The account also highlights the futility of pride and arrogance, as demonstrated by Sennacherib's downfall despite his military prowess. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 19:14-19And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library How Sennacherib Made an Expedition against Hezekiah; What Hezekiah and Sennacherib. Deliverance from Assyria 'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted' The Triumph of Faith Hezekiah, the Praying King A Strange Reward for Faithfulness The History Books The Invasion of the Assyrians Demonstration v. --Of Wars. 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) |
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