Topical Encyclopedia Sennacherib, the powerful king of Assyria, reigned from 705 to 681 BC and is prominently featured in the biblical narrative for his military campaigns against the Kingdom of Judah. His interactions with Judah are recorded in several books of the Bible, including 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah, where he is depicted as a formidable adversary who insulted and threatened the people of God.Historical Context Assyria, under Sennacherib's rule, was a dominant empire known for its military prowess and expansionist policies. Sennacherib succeeded his father, Sargon II, and continued to strengthen Assyria's influence in the ancient Near East. His reign is marked by significant military campaigns, including the infamous siege of Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. Biblical Account The biblical narrative of Sennacherib's campaign against Judah is detailed in 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37. In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah's reign, Sennacherib invaded Judah and captured its fortified cities. The Assyrian king sent his field commander, the Rabshakeh, to Jerusalem to deliver a message of intimidation and blasphemy against the God of Israel. The Rabshakeh stood at the aqueduct of the Upper Pool and addressed the people of Jerusalem in Hebrew, seeking to undermine their confidence in Hezekiah and their faith in the LORD. He mocked their reliance on Egypt and questioned the power of their God to deliver them from the might of Assyria. The Rabshakeh declared, "Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he cannot deliver you from my hand" (2 Kings 18:29). Hezekiah's Response In response to Sennacherib's threats, King Hezekiah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and turned to the LORD in prayer. Hezekiah's prayer is a profound expression of faith and reliance on God's deliverance: "O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God" (2 Kings 19:19). Divine Intervention The LORD, through the prophet Isaiah, assured Hezekiah that Sennacherib would not enter Jerusalem. Isaiah prophesied the downfall of the Assyrian king, stating, "He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it" (2 Kings 19:32). That very night, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw and return to Nineveh. Aftermath Sennacherib's retreat marked a significant deliverance for Judah, demonstrating the LORD's sovereignty and power over the nations. The biblical account concludes with Sennacherib's assassination by his own sons while worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, fulfilling the prophecy of his demise (2 Kings 19:37). Significance The account of Sennacherib's confrontation with Judah serves as a testament to God's protection and faithfulness to His people. It highlights the futility of human arrogance against divine authority and underscores the importance of trusting in the LORD amidst threats and challenges. The narrative also reinforces the prophetic role of Isaiah and the power of prayer in seeking divine intervention. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 18:17-32And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 19:10-13 Library The Iranian Conquest Resources Who was King Hoshea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhen and how was Nineveh destroyed? | GotQuestions.org What is British Israelism and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Assyria: Alliances With, Sought by Judah and Israel Assyria: An Empire Founded by Nimrod Assyria: Antiquity and Origin of Assyria: Army of, Destroyed by the Angel of the Lord Assyria: As a Power, Was: An Instrument of God's Vengeance Assyria: As a Power, Was: Cruel and Destructive Assyria: As a Power, Was: Intolerant and Oppressive Assyria: As a Power, Was: Most Formidable Assyria: As a Power, Was: Proud and Haughty Assyria: As a Power, Was: Selfish and Reserved Assyria: As a Power, Was: Unfaithful Assyria: Called: The Land of Nimrod Assyria: Celebrated For: Extensive Commerce Assyria: Celebrated For: Extent of Conquests Assyria: Celebrated For: Fertility Assyria: Chief Men of, Described Assyria: Condemned for Oppressing God's People Assyria: Idolatry of, Brought Into Samaria Assyria: Idolatry, the Religion of Assyria: Invaded by Pharaoh-Necho Assyria: Israel Condemned for Trusting To Assyria: Israelites Carried Captive Into Assyria: Israelites Subject To Assyria: It Extended from East of the Tigris Assyria: Its Armies Invade the Land of Israel Under Pul Assyria: Jews Carried Captive To Assyria: Judah Condemned for Trusting To Assyria: Manasseh Taken Captive To Assyria: Nineveh, Chief City of Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest and Captivity of Israel By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of Syria By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of the Kenites By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Destruction of Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Invasion of Judah By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Participation in the Blessings of the Gospel Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Restoration of Israel From Assyria: Prophecies Concerning Assyria: Prophecies of Captivity of Israelites In Assyria: Pul King of Brought off by Menahem Assyria: Pul King of Invaded Israel Assyria: Sennacherib King of Assassinated by his Sons Assyria: Sennacherib King of Blasphemed the Lord Assyria: Sennacherib King of Bought off by Hezekiah Assyria: Sennacherib King of His Army Destroyed by God Assyria: Sennacherib King of Insulted and Threatened Judah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Invaded Judah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Prayed Against by Hezekiah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Reproved for Pride and Blasphemy Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Carried Israel Captive Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Imprisoned Hoshea Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Reduced Israel to Tribute Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Re-Peopled Samaria from Assyria Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Was Conspired Against by Hoshea Assyria: Situated Beyond the Euphrates Assyria: The Greatness, Extent, Duration, and Fall, Illustrated Assyria: The Jews Condemned for Following the Idolatries of Assyria: The Re-Peopling of Samaria From, Completed by Asnappar Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Asked to Aid Ahaz Against Syria Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Conquered Syria Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Ravaged Israel Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Took Money from Ahaz, But Strengthened Him Not Assyria: Watered by the River Tigris Related Terms Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences) Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences) Tig'lath-pile'ser (3 Occurrences) Tillegath-pilneser (3 Occurrences) Tilgathpilneser (3 Occurrences) Tilgath-pilneser (3 Occurrences) Til'gath-pilne'ser (3 Occurrences) |
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