Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, cities often served as focal points of military campaigns and were frequently stormed by invading forces. The storming of cities was a common occurrence in the ancient Near East, reflecting the turbulent and often violent history of the region. The Bible provides numerous accounts of cities being besieged, captured, and destroyed, illustrating both divine judgment and the fulfillment of God's promises.Jericho: One of the most famous examples of a city being stormed is the fall of Jericho. Under the leadership of Joshua, the Israelites captured Jericho as part of their conquest of the Promised Land. The city was taken in a miraculous manner after the Israelites marched around its walls for seven days. On the seventh day, the walls collapsed following the sound of trumpets and a great shout from the people (Joshua 6:20: "So when the people heard the sound of the ram’s horn, they raised a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it."). Ai: Following the victory at Jericho, the Israelites set their sights on the city of Ai. Initially, they suffered a defeat due to Achan's sin, but after addressing the sin, they successfully stormed Ai. Joshua employed a strategic ambush, drawing the men of Ai out of the city and then capturing it (Joshua 8:19: "As soon as he had stretched out his hand, the men in ambush rose quickly from their position, ran, and entered the city and captured it. They quickly set the city on fire."). Lachish and Libnah: During the southern campaign of the conquest, Joshua and the Israelites stormed several cities, including Lachish and Libnah. These cities were part of a coalition of Canaanite kings who opposed Israel. The Bible records that the LORD delivered these cities into the hands of Israel, demonstrating His support for their conquest (Joshua 10:31-32: "Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Libnah to Lachish, and he laid siege to it and fought against it. And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hands of Israel, and Joshua captured it on the second day."). Jerusalem: The city of Jerusalem was stormed multiple times throughout biblical history. Initially, it was captured by King David, who established it as the capital of Israel (2 Samuel 5:7: "Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David)."). Later, during the Babylonian conquest, Jerusalem was besieged and ultimately destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar's forces as a result of the people's disobedience to God (2 Kings 25:9-10: "He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building. And the whole army of the Chaldeans under the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem."). Samaria: The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria, was stormed by the Assyrians under King Shalmaneser V and later Sargon II. This event marked the end of the Northern Kingdom and the beginning of the Assyrian exile (2 Kings 17:5-6: "Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria."). Babylon: The city of Babylon itself was stormed by the Medes and Persians under Cyrus the Great, fulfilling the prophecy of its downfall. This event is significant in biblical history as it led to the end of the Babylonian captivity and the return of the Jewish exiles to their homeland (Daniel 5:30-31: "That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two."). Throughout the biblical text, the storming of cities serves as a testament to God's sovereignty, His judgment against sin, and His faithfulness to His covenant people. These events underscore the transient nature of human power and the ultimate authority of God over the affairs of nations. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 8:3-7So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night. Torrey's Topical Textbook Judges 9:44 Library Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC ) Letter cviii. To Eustochium. Translator's Preface. The Rise of the Assyrian Empire City of God Memoir of John Bunyan Resources What were the cities of refuge in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were Admah and Zeboiim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why did Jesus mention Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10:14? | GotQuestions.org Cities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Cities of Refuge of the Hope of the Gospel Cities of Refuge: (The Way To) Christ Cities of Refuge: Afforded No Asylum to Murderers Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Easy of Access Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Open to all Manslayers Cities of Refuge: Strangers Might Take Advantage of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to not Protected Outside of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Obliged to Remain In, Until the High Priest's Death Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Were Put on Their Trial Cities were Called For: The Country in Which Built Cities were Called For: The Family of the Founder Cities were Called For: The Proprietor of the Land Cities were Frequently: Besieged Cities were Frequently: Burned Cities were Frequently: Depopulated Cities were Frequently: Made Heaps of Ruins Cities were Frequently: Pillaged Cities were Frequently: Razed and Sown With Salt Cities were Frequently: Stormed Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Famine Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Pestilence Cities: A Great Defence to a Country Cities: Afforded Refuge in Times of Danger Cities: Arranged in Streets and Lanes Cities: Artificial Mode of Supplying Water To Cities: Built in Desert Places Cities: Built in Pleasant Situations Cities: Built of Brick and Mortar Cities: Built of Brick and Slime Cities: Built of Stone and Wood Cities: Built with Compactness Cities: Built: Often of a Square Form Cities: Built: On Solid Foundations Cities: Designated as Merchant Cities: Designated as Treasure Cities: Designed for Habitations Cities: Different Kinds of Chariot Cities: Different Kinds of Commercial Cities: Different Kinds of Fenced Cities: Different Kinds of Levitical Cities: Different Kinds of Refuge Cities: Different Kinds of Royal Cities: Different Kinds of Store Cities: Different Kinds of Treasure Cities: Difficulty of Taking, Alluded To Cities: Government of, by Rulers Cities: Inhabitants of, Called Citizens Cities: Often Built to Perpetuate a Name Cities: Often Deserted on the Approach of an Enemy Cities: Often Fortified by Art Cities: Often Fortified by Nature Cities: Often Founded and Enlarged by Blood and Rapine Cities: Often Great and Goodly Cities: Often of Great Antiquity Cities: Prosperity of, Increased by Commerce Cities: Protected at Night by Watchmen Related Terms Chariot-cities (3 Occurrences) Treasure-cities (1 Occurrence) Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) |
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