Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, reigned as the king of Judah during a tumultuous period marked by the threat of Assyrian expansion. His reign is noted for significant military and strategic operations, which are documented in the biblical texts of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah.

Rebellion Against Assyria

Hezekiah's military operations are most prominently characterized by his rebellion against the Assyrian empire. After years of subjugation under Assyrian dominance, Hezekiah took a bold stand by refusing to pay tribute to King Sennacherib of Assyria. This act of defiance is recorded in 2 Kings 18:7: "And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him."

Fortification of Jerusalem

In anticipation of an Assyrian retaliation, Hezekiah undertook extensive preparations to fortify Jerusalem. He strengthened the city's defenses by repairing and expanding the walls, constructing towers, and building a new wall outside the existing one. He also secured the city's water supply by constructing the famous Siloam Tunnel, which redirected water from the Gihon Spring into the city. This strategic move is detailed in 2 Chronicles 32:5: "Then he worked hard to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and to raise towers on it. He also built another wall outside that one and reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David. He also made large numbers of weapons and shields."

Confrontation with Sennacherib

The Assyrian king Sennacherib responded to Hezekiah's rebellion by launching a military campaign against Judah, capturing several fortified cities. The Assyrian forces eventually laid siege to Jerusalem. In a moment of crisis, Hezekiah sought divine intervention through prayer and consultation with the prophet Isaiah. The biblical account in 2 Kings 19:35 describes a miraculous deliverance: "And that very 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!"

Diplomatic and Military Alliances

Hezekiah's reign also involved diplomatic efforts to secure military alliances. He sought support from neighboring nations, including Egypt, although these alliances were often unreliable. Despite these efforts, Hezekiah's reliance on God proved to be his ultimate source of strength and deliverance.

Legacy of Military Leadership

Hezekiah's military operations and leadership left a lasting impact on the kingdom of Judah. His successful defense against the Assyrian threat and his efforts to fortify Jerusalem are remembered as acts of faith and courage. The biblical narrative highlights Hezekiah's reliance on God as the key to his military successes, as seen in 2 Chronicles 32:8: "With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles."

Hezekiah's reign serves as a testament to the power of faith and divine intervention in the face of overwhelming military odds. His account is a reminder of the importance of spiritual reliance and strategic preparation in times of national crisis.2 Kings 18:19
And Rabshakeh said to them, Speak you now to Hezekiah, Thus said the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein you trust?
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1 Chronicles 4:39-43
And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
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2 Chronicles 32:1
After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.
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Isaiah 36:1
Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defended cities of Judah, and took them.
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Isaiah 37:1
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
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The Old Testament and Archeology
... brought them within the reach of science, belongs to the military expedition of ... found
that Samaria was taken in the sixth year of Hezekiah, king of Judah. ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... Hezekiah, King of Judah, had emptied his treasury to furnish his ... of success without
the help of Judah, Tyre, and ... minanu, the name of the Elamite king, to Minanu ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... it seems better to place the accession of Hezekiah about 715 ... and that he was given
up by the King of Milukhkha ... not to call either Moab, Edom, or Judah to account ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... interpolation; the additional mention of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings
of Judah, is due ... pay him homage on his return: even the King of Illipi ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... of the Philistines, alongside the territory of Judah, and to ... Achish, for example,
King of Gath ... the Egyptians, who were unrivalled in military operations at this ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... genealogy at the beginning of his prophecy (i.1), though, it is true, he does not
add the title "King of Judah" after the name of his ancestor Hezekiah. ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... [4794] The attack of the Assyrians was repulsed, and the might of Sennacherib utterly
crushed, by the tears and sackcloth of King Hezekiah, and by his humbling ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... They cried aloud, "This is our king!" and Sharezer thereupon fled into Armenia. ... One
part at least of the military staff had become disorganised; regiments had ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... Siloam, which goes back perhaps to the time of Hezekiah. ... Israel, the latter to that
which was current in Judah. ... was afterwards the domain of Sihon, King of the ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... all the superior grades of the military profession. ... anecdote related by Plutarch
concerning this king's relations with ... Radet places the operations in Bithynia ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

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