The Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem is a significant event recorded in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. This historical episode took place during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, around 701 BC, when the Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, sought to expand its dominion over the region.

Historical Context

The Assyrian Empire, known for its military prowess and expansionist policies, had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC. By the time of Hezekiah, the Assyrians had established themselves as the dominant power in the Near East. Hezekiah, a king noted for his religious reforms and faithfulness to Yahweh, found himself in a precarious position as the Assyrian forces advanced toward Jerusalem.

Biblical Account

The biblical narrative of the siege is detailed in 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37. According to these accounts, Sennacherib's campaign against Judah was part of a larger military strategy to subdue rebellious vassal states. The Assyrian king captured several fortified cities in Judah before setting his sights on Jerusalem.

In 2 Kings 18:13-14 , it is recorded: "In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish: 'I have done wrong. Withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand of me.' The king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold."

Despite Hezekiah's initial attempt to appease Sennacherib with tribute, the Assyrian king sent his officials, including the Rabshakeh, to Jerusalem to demand its surrender. The Rabshakeh's speech, recorded in Isaiah 36:4-10, was intended to demoralize the inhabitants of Jerusalem by questioning their reliance on Egypt and their faith in Yahweh.

Hezekiah's Response and Divine Intervention

Faced with the threat of annihilation, Hezekiah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and turned to prayer. In 2 Kings 19:15-19 , Hezekiah's prayer is recorded: "And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: 'O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God.'"

In response to Hezekiah's faith and prayer, God delivered a message through Isaiah, assuring the king that Jerusalem would not fall to the Assyrians. Isaiah 37:33-35 states: "Therefore this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: 'He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here or 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. 'I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.'"

That night, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw and return to Nineveh, as recorded in 2 Kings 19:35-36 .

Significance

The Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem is a testament to God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant people. It highlights the power of prayer and reliance on divine intervention in the face of overwhelming odds. This event also underscores the importance of righteous leadership, as exemplified by Hezekiah's trust in God and commitment to spiritual reform. The miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem served as a powerful reminder of God's protection and the futility of opposing His will.