Topical Encyclopedia The history of the cities of Judah is marked by numerous sieges, reflecting the turbulent times and the strategic importance of this region in biblical history. These sieges often served as pivotal moments in the narrative of the Israelites, illustrating themes of divine judgment, deliverance, and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings.Jerusalem Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, experienced several significant sieges. One of the most notable was the siege by the Assyrian king Sennacherib during the reign of King Hezekiah. In 2 Kings 18-19 and Isaiah 36-37, the Bible recounts how Sennacherib's forces surrounded Jerusalem, demanding its surrender. Hezekiah's faith and prayer led to divine intervention, as the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, prompting Sennacherib to withdraw (2 Kings 19:35-36). Another major siege occurred in 586 BC when the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, leading to its fall and the destruction of Solomon's Temple. This event is detailed in 2 Kings 25 and Jeremiah 39, marking the beginning of the Babylonian exile. The siege was a fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by Jeremiah and other prophets, who had called the people to repentance. Lachish Lachish was another significant city in Judah that faced a notable siege. The Assyrian king Sennacherib captured Lachish during his campaign against Judah, as recorded in 2 Kings 18:13-14 and 2 Chronicles 32:9. The siege of Lachish is also famously depicted in the Lachish Reliefs, a series of Assyrian palace carvings that provide a vivid historical account of the event. The fall of Lachish demonstrated the might of the Assyrian empire and served as a warning to Jerusalem. Libnah Libnah, a city in the Shephelah region of Judah, was besieged by Sennacherib after his campaign against Lachish. According to 2 Kings 19:8, Sennacherib moved his forces to Libnah, but the siege was ultimately unsuccessful due to the divine intervention that thwarted the Assyrian army at Jerusalem. Azekah Azekah, another fortified city in Judah, was besieged during the Babylonian conquest. Jeremiah 34:7 mentions Azekah as one of the last cities standing alongside Lachish before the fall of Jerusalem. The strategic location of Azekah made it a target for invading armies, and its eventual fall contributed to the weakening of Judah's defenses. Conclusion The sieges of the cities of Judah are integral to understanding the historical and spiritual context of the biblical narrative. They highlight the consequences of disobedience to God, the fulfillment of prophetic words, and the moments of divine deliverance that punctuate the history of God's chosen people. These events serve as reminders of the sovereignty of God over nations and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 18:13Now 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 Jeremiah Six Cities How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The Book 9 Footnotes The Old Testament and Archeology The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC ) The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal Resources What is the history of Masada? | GotQuestions.orgWhen and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org Who was Ben-Hadad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A Sieges: Being Against Round About Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt Sieges: Compassing About With Armies Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time Sieges: Setting in Array Against Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of Sieges: The Omnipresence of God Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction Related Terms Battering-rams (2 Occurrences) Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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