Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, sieges were a common military strategy employed by various nations and peoples. The inhabitants of besieged cities often faced dire circumstances, including the threat of starvation, disease, and eventual capture or destruction. Despite these challenges, the Bible frequently exhorts the inhabitants of such cities to remain courageous and trust in God's deliverance.One of the most notable examples of a city under siege is Jerusalem. Throughout its history, Jerusalem faced numerous sieges, including those by the Assyrians, Babylonians, and later, the Romans. In 2 Kings 19, during the reign of King Hezekiah, the Assyrian king Sennacherib laid siege to Jerusalem. Hezekiah, faced with overwhelming odds, sought the Lord's guidance and was encouraged by the prophet Isaiah to remain steadfast. Isaiah assured Hezekiah that God would defend the city: "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'" (2 Kings 19:32). The Lord's intervention led to the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem, as an angel struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. Another significant siege occurred during the time of King Jehoshaphat, when the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites came against Judah. In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat called upon the people to seek the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, who proclaimed, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's" (2 Chronicles 20:15). The people of Judah responded with worship and praise, and God caused their enemies to turn against each other, leading to a great victory without the need for battle. The siege of Samaria by the Arameans, as recorded in 2 Kings 6-7, also highlights the theme of courage and divine intervention. The city was in dire straits, with famine causing desperate conditions. Elisha the prophet assured the king of Israel that deliverance was imminent, saying, "Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: 'About this time tomorrow, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria'" (2 Kings 7:1). True to the prophecy, the Lord caused the Arameans to flee, leaving behind provisions that ended the famine. The exhortation to courage in the face of siege is not limited to physical battles but extends to spiritual warfare as well. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, encourages believers to "put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes" (Ephesians 6:11). This metaphorical siege requires believers to stand firm in faith, relying on God's strength and protection. Throughout Scripture, the theme of courage during sieges underscores the importance of faith and reliance on God. The biblical accounts serve as reminders that, regardless of the circumstances, God's people are called to trust in His power and deliverance. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Chronicles 32:6-8And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spoke comfortably to them, saying, Torrey's Topical Textbook Resources Who was Gedaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Babylonian captivity/exile? | GotQuestions.org Who was King Zedekiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A Sieges: Being Against Round About Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt Sieges: Compassing About With Armies Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time Sieges: Setting in Array Against Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of Sieges: The Omnipresence of God Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction Related Terms Battering-rams (2 Occurrences) Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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