Topical Bible: Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage

◄ Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage ►

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In the biblical narrative, sieges and the subsequent pillaging of cities are significant events that illustrate the consequences of disobedience, the fulfillment of divine judgment, and the unfolding of God's sovereign plans. Throughout the Scriptures, various cities experienced sieges, often resulting in their capture and plunder. These events serve as both historical accounts and moral lessons within the biblical context.

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 as instructed by God. On the seventh day, the walls of Jericho collapsed, allowing the Israelites to take the city. The city was devoted to destruction, and everything in it was to be destroyed except for Rahab and her family, who were spared due to her faithfulness (Joshua 6:20-21).

Ai

Following the victory at Jericho, the Israelites faced the city of Ai. Initially defeated due to Achan's sin, the Israelites later captured Ai through a strategic ambush. The city was set on fire, and its inhabitants were killed, demonstrating the seriousness of sin and the importance of obedience to God's commands (Joshua 8:19, 25).

Lachish

The city of Lachish was besieged by the Assyrian king Sennacherib during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. The Assyrian campaign against Judah is detailed in 2 Kings 18-19 and Isaiah 36-37. Although Lachish fell to the Assyrians, Jerusalem was miraculously spared through divine intervention, highlighting God's protection over His people when they turn to Him in faith.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem itself experienced several sieges throughout its history. The most notable is the Babylonian siege under King Nebuchadnezzar, which led to the city's destruction in 586 BC. This event marked the fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by Jeremiah and other prophets regarding Judah's unfaithfulness. The Babylonians captured the city, destroyed the temple, and carried many inhabitants into exile (2 Kings 25:1-10).

Samaria

The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria, was besieged by the Assyrians under King Shalmaneser V and later Sargon II. The siege lasted three years and resulted in the city's fall and the deportation of the Israelites, fulfilling the prophetic warnings of Hosea and Amos regarding the consequences of idolatry and injustice (2 Kings 17:5-6).

Hazor

During the conquest of Canaan, Joshua led the Israelites against the city of Hazor, which was considered the head of all those kingdoms. The city was captured, and its king was killed. Hazor was burned, and its inhabitants were put to the sword, as commanded by God (Joshua 11:10-11).

Gibeah

The city of Gibeah, belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, was besieged by the other tribes of Israel in response to a grievous crime committed there. The siege and subsequent battle resulted in the near destruction of the tribe of Benjamin, illustrating the severe consequences of moral corruption and the need for justice (Judges 20:37-48).

These sieges and the pillaging of cities serve as reminders of the seriousness of sin, the importance of obedience to God, and the fulfillment of His divine purposes. They underscore the biblical themes of judgment, redemption, and the ultimate sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations and individuals.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 50:26,27
Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... not dare to interfere, the two cities were taken by ... what turn affairs might have
taken had Elam ... districts which remained insubordinate were given up to pillage ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

Storming the Battlements
... glorious victories," of "brilliant successes," of "sieges," and of ... kind of siege,
another kind of sacking of cities. ... Though he has taken away many joys, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/storming the battlements.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... it to the first rank among the Phoenician cities. ... the last attack, but he was certainly
taken prisoner, though ... Sidon was given up to the soldiery and then burnt ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... day of the trumpet and alarm, against the fenced cities, and against ... our hands wax
feeble; anguish hath taken hold of ... of the number of years given in Herodotus ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... According to the details given in the ... and inflicted a salutary punishment on the
cities which had ... The facts taken altogether prove that it was a continuation ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm