Hezekiah's Prayer
During the Assyrian invasion of Judah around 701 BC, King Hezekiah confronted an existential threat as Sennacherib's forces besieged Jerusalem and mocked the God of Israel. Hezekiah responded by entering the temple to pray, spreading the enemy's threatening letter before the Lord and seeking divine deliverance based on God's covenant promises. God answered through the prophet Isaiah, affirming that the city would be spared, and an angel subsequently struck down 185,000 Assyrian troops in a single night, forcing Sennacherib's retreat. This account, preserved in Isaiah 37, 2 Kings 19, and 2 Chronicles 32, illustrates the power of earnest prayer and God's faithfulness in protecting those who trust Him amid overwhelming odds.
Meanwhile in the World
Assyria becomes the world's first great empire, conquering from Egypt to Persia. Greece emerges from its Dark Age - the Olympic Games begin (776 BC). Rome is founded (753 BC). Carthage is established. This is the height of Assyrian military power and the rise of Greek city-states.