Sennacherib's Siege of Jerusalem
In 701 BC, Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded the kingdom of Judah as part of a broader campaign to suppress rebellion against the Assyrian Empire, capturing numerous fortified cities and advancing on Jerusalem under King Hezekiah. Hezekiah responded by fortifying the city's defenses, including the construction of the Siloam Tunnel for water supply, while turning to prayer and seeking counsel from the prophet Isaiah rather than relying solely on political alliances. According to the biblical accounts in 2 Kings 18โ19, Isaiah 36โ37, and 2 Chronicles 32, God intervened by sending an angel that killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night, compelling Sennacherib to withdraw without capturing the city. This deliverance underscores Scripture's emphasis on divine sovereignty and the efficacy of faithful trust in God amid overwhelming threats, distinguishing Jerusalem's fate from the earlier fall of the northern kingdom of Israel.
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.