Topical Bible: Jerusalem: Calamities of, Mentioned: Besieged But not Taken by Sennacherib

◄ Jerusalem: Calamities of, Mentioned: Besieged But not Taken by Sennacherib ►

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Jerusalem, the ancient and sacred city, has been the focal point of numerous historical and biblical events, including various calamities. One significant event in its storied past is the siege by Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, which is notably recorded in the Bible. This event is a testament to the divine protection over Jerusalem, as it was besieged but not taken.

The account of Sennacherib's siege is primarily found in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. During the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, Sennacherib launched a military campaign against the fortified cities of Judah, capturing many of them. The narrative reaches its climax when Sennacherib's forces encamp around Jerusalem, threatening its very existence.

In 2 Kings 18:13, the Berean Standard Bible states, "In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them." Despite the dire situation, King Hezekiah sought the Lord's guidance and intervention. Hezekiah's faith and leadership are highlighted as he turns to prayer and seeks the counsel of the prophet Isaiah.

The Assyrian king, confident in his military might, sent messengers to taunt and intimidate the people of Jerusalem, questioning their reliance on God for deliverance. In 2 Kings 19:10-11 , Sennacherib's message is recorded: "Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. And will you be delivered?"

In response, Hezekiah went to the house of the Lord and spread the threatening letter before God, praying earnestly for deliverance. The Lord's answer came through the prophet Isaiah, who assured Hezekiah that Jerusalem would not fall to the Assyrians. Isaiah 37:33-34 records the divine promise: "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."

The miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem is described 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 not only saved Jerusalem but also demonstrated God's power and faithfulness to His people.

The siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib stands as a powerful example of God's protection and the importance of faith and reliance on Him in times of crisis. Despite the overwhelming odds, Jerusalem was spared, underscoring the belief that God is sovereign over the affairs of nations and the destinies of His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 18:17
And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 19:1-37
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Great Slaughters and Sacrilege that were in Jerusalem.
... And, indeed, why do I relate these particular calamities? ... Reland, the very same that
are mentioned by the ... at both those times of the destruction of Jerusalem. ...
/.../chapter 13 the great slaughters.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... seeing them indifferent to their calamities, and inveighed ... thou trustest deceive
thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not ... of the canton of Haleh, mentioned in Syrian ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... town, which had to be besieged and captured ... Syria and Palestine is expressly mentioned
by Herodotus. ... without having succeeded in destroying Jerusalem, or even ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... and its accompanying bas-relief are mentioned in the ... pal himself seldom speaks of
his cavalry, but he constantly ... from the ramparts of the besieged town; the ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm