Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, sieges were a common military strategy employed by various nations to conquer fortified cities. The Bible records numerous instances where cities were besieged, often leading to their eventual capture and destruction. These events are significant as they reflect the fulfillment of divine judgment, the consequences of disobedience, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.Jericho One of the most famous sieges in the Bible is the fall of Jericho, as recorded in the Book of Joshua. The Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, marched around the city for seven days. On the seventh day, after the priests blew the trumpets, the walls of Jericho collapsed, allowing the Israelites to take the city (Joshua 6:20). This miraculous event demonstrated God's power and faithfulness to His promises. Ai Following the victory at Jericho, the Israelites faced the city of Ai. Initially, they suffered a defeat due to Achan's sin, but after dealing with the sin in their camp, they successfully besieged and captured Ai (Joshua 8:1-29). This account highlights the importance of obedience and purity among God's people. Samaria The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria, experienced several sieges. One notable siege was conducted by the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V, leading to the city's fall and the exile of the Israelites (2 Kings 17:5-6). This event marked the end of the Northern Kingdom and served as a warning of the consequences of idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. Jerusalem Jerusalem, the capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, was besieged multiple times. The most significant siege occurred under Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. After a prolonged siege, the city was captured, the temple was destroyed, and the people were taken into exile (2 Kings 25:1-21). This event fulfilled prophetic warnings and underscored the seriousness of turning away from God. Lachish Lachish, a fortified city in Judah, was besieged by the Assyrian king Sennacherib during the reign of Hezekiah. The siege is depicted in Assyrian reliefs and mentioned in the Bible (2 Kings 18:13-14). Although Lachish fell, Jerusalem was miraculously spared through divine intervention, as recorded in 2 Kings 19:35-36 . Rabbah The Ammonite city of Rabbah was besieged by King David's forces. After a prolonged siege, Joab captured the city, and David took the crown of the Ammonite king (2 Samuel 12:26-31). This victory expanded David's kingdom and demonstrated God's favor upon him. Babylon In the prophetic literature, Babylon is depicted as a city destined for siege and destruction. The fall of Babylon is prophesied in Isaiah 13 and Jeremiah 50-51, symbolizing God's judgment against pride and idolatry. The historical fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians fulfilled these prophecies and illustrated the sovereignty of God over nations. Throughout the biblical narrative, sieges serve as pivotal moments where divine justice, human agency, and the unfolding of God's purposes intersect. These events remind believers of the importance of faithfulness, the reality of divine judgment, and the hope of redemption through God's sovereign plan. Torrey's Topical Textbook Judges 9:45And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Storming the Battlements The Fortress of the Faithful Book 9 Footnotes Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC ) Christian Conversation The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire The Rise of the Assyrian Empire 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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