Sennacherib, the son of Sargon II, was the king of Assyria from 705 to 681 BC. He is a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of his military campaigns against the Kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. Sennacherib's reign is well-documented both in the Bible and in Assyrian records, providing a comprehensive view of his impact on the ancient Near East.

Historical Context and Reign

Sennacherib ascended to the throne following the death of his father, Sargon II. His reign was marked by significant military campaigns aimed at consolidating Assyrian power and expanding its territories. Sennacherib is perhaps best known for his campaign against Judah, which is detailed in the biblical books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah.

Campaign Against Judah

The biblical account of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah is a pivotal event. In 2 Kings 18:13, 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." This campaign was part of Sennacherib's broader strategy to subdue rebellious vassal states and secure Assyrian dominance in the region.

Sennacherib's forces laid siege to Jerusalem, prompting King Hezekiah to seek divine intervention. The prophet Isaiah assured Hezekiah of God's deliverance, as recorded in Isaiah 37:6-7: "Isaiah said to them, 'Tell your master that this is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid of the words you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.'"

Divine Intervention and Assyrian Defeat

The biblical narrative emphasizes the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from Sennacherib's siege. According to 2 Kings 19:35, "That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!" This divine intervention forced Sennacherib to withdraw and return to Nineveh.

Sennacherib's Death

Sennacherib's demise is also recorded in the Bible. 2 Kings 19:37 states, "One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esarhaddon reigned in his place." This account aligns with Assyrian records, which confirm that Sennacherib was assassinated by his own sons.

Archaeological and Historical Corroboration

The historical existence of Sennacherib and his campaign against Judah is corroborated by archaeological findings, including the Taylor Prism, an Assyrian artifact that details Sennacherib's military exploits. The prism provides an Assyrian perspective on the campaign, notably omitting the defeat at Jerusalem, which is consistent with the practice of ancient Near Eastern monarchs to omit or downplay military failures.

Legacy

Sennacherib's reign is remembered for its military might and the significant impact it had on the geopolitics of the ancient Near East. His interactions with Judah and the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem are key events in the biblical narrative, illustrating themes of divine sovereignty and protection.