Topical Encyclopedia
The First Temple, also known as Solomon's Temple, was the central place of worship for the Israelites and a symbol of God's presence among His people. Constructed under King Solomon's reign, the Temple stood in Jerusalem and housed the Ark of the Covenant, along with numerous sacred artifacts and treasures dedicated to the worship of Yahweh.
During the reign of King Hezekiah, the Kingdom of Judah faced significant threats from the Assyrian Empire, which was expanding its territory and exerting pressure on neighboring nations. Hezekiah, known for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh, found himself in a precarious situation as the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, advanced toward Jerusalem.
In an attempt to secure peace and stave off the impending Assyrian invasion, Hezekiah resorted to a diplomatic strategy that involved the payment of tribute. This tribute was substantial and required Hezekiah to deplete the wealth of the Temple. According to
2 Kings 18:15-16 , "So Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace. At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD and from the doorposts he had overlaid and gave it to the king of Assyria."
This act of giving away the Temple's treasures was a significant moment in the history of Judah. It demonstrated the immense pressure Hezekiah faced and the lengths to which he was willing to go to protect his people and city. The treasures of the Temple, which were meant to honor God, were instead used as a political tool to appease a foreign power.
Hezekiah's decision, while pragmatic, was not without its consequences. The depletion of the Temple's wealth was a tangible loss for the nation, and it underscored the vulnerability of Judah in the face of powerful adversaries. Despite this, Hezekiah's reign is often remembered for his faithfulness and reliance on God, particularly during the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians, as recorded later in
2 Kings 19.
The incident of Hezekiah giving the Temple's treasures to the Assyrians serves as a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between faith, politics, and survival in the ancient world. It highlights the challenges faced by the leaders of Judah in maintaining their sovereignty and religious identity amidst external threats.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Kings 18:13-16Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... statue was long shown in the temple at Memphis ... as Merodach-baladan was hovering on
its frontier possessed ... weeks might easily elapse before the first and second ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm
The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... forms of divine worship: from the very first he tolerated ... reappeared within the
precincts of the temple, together with ... and to the mysterious powers of its gods ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Tarshish"The palace at Jerusalem, the temple and its ... turned to the right, and followed,
first the southern ... portion of territory.* Such, in its main outlines ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm
The Iranian Conquest
... Croesus, encouraged by his first success, could not rest ... magistrate, who was held
responsible for its loyalty; the ... number of the columns of that temple at his ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm
Resources
Was it God's desire for Israel to worship Him in a temple in Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning and significance of the Temple Mount? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Ezekiel's temple? | GotQuestions.orgTemple: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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