Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, sieges were a common military strategy employed by various nations to conquer fortified cities. The preparation and fortification of cities in anticipation of such sieges are well-documented throughout the Scriptures. These accounts highlight the importance of strategic planning and divine reliance in the face of impending threats.Jerusalem and Hezekiah's Preparations One of the most notable examples of a city being fortified in anticipation of a siege is Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. Facing the threat of the Assyrian army under King Sennacherib, Hezekiah took significant measures to strengthen the city's defenses. He repaired the walls, built towers, and constructed a new wall outside the existing one. Additionally, Hezekiah secured the city's water supply by redirecting the waters of the Gihon spring through a tunnel into the city (2 Chronicles 32:2-5). This strategic preparation was crucial in withstanding the Assyrian siege. Lachish and the Assyrian Siege The city of Lachish also faced a significant siege by the Assyrians. Although the Bible does not provide detailed accounts of the fortifications of Lachish, archaeological evidence suggests that the city was heavily fortified. The Assyrian siege of Lachish is depicted in the reliefs of Sennacherib's palace in Nineveh, illustrating the intense military campaign against this fortified city (2 Kings 18:13-14). Babylonian Siege of Jerusalem The Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, culminating in the destruction of the city and the temple in 586 BC, is another critical event in biblical history. Prior to the siege, King Zedekiah and his predecessors had made attempts to fortify the city. However, due to the people's disobedience and failure to heed prophetic warnings, these preparations were ultimately in vain (2 Kings 25:1-4). Nehemiah's Reconstruction Efforts After the Babylonian exile, Nehemiah played a pivotal role in the reconstruction and fortification of Jerusalem's walls. Upon hearing of the city's vulnerable state, Nehemiah sought permission from King Artaxerxes to rebuild the walls. Despite opposition from surrounding enemies, Nehemiah successfully organized the people to repair and fortify the city, ensuring its protection against future threats (Nehemiah 2:17-20, 4:6-9). Divine Protection and Human Effort Throughout these accounts, a recurring theme is the interplay between divine protection and human effort. While the Israelites took practical steps to fortify their cities, they also recognized their ultimate dependence on God for deliverance. In the case of Hezekiah, his faith and prayer were instrumental in securing divine intervention against the Assyrians (2 Kings 19:14-19). Conclusion The biblical accounts of sieges and the fortification of cities underscore the importance of preparation, strategic planning, and reliance on God. These narratives serve as reminders of the need for both human diligence and divine trust in the face of adversities. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Chronicles 32:5Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 22:9,10 Nahum 3:14 Resources Who was Sennacherib in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the Branch Davidians? | GotQuestions.org Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | 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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