Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - Hezekiah's reforms

Image:Sennacheribprism.gifIn 721 BCE, the Assyrian army captured the Israelite capital at Samaria and carried away the citizens of the northern kingdom into captivity. The virtual destruction of Israel left the southern kingdom, Judah, to fend for itself in the whirlwind of warring Near Eastern kingdoms. At the time of Samaria's fall, there existed two kings in Judah — Ahaz and his son Hezekiah — who ruled as co-regents. Judah existed as a vassal to Assyria during this time and was forced to pay an annual tribute to the powerful empire.< ...

Including:

• Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - Hezekiah's reforms
• Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - Jerusalem besieged
• Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - The hexagonal prism and other sources
• Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - Sennacherib's end

Read more here: » Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem: Encyclopedia - Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem

In 715 BCE, following the death of Ahaz, Hezekiah became the sole regent of Judah and initiated widespread religious reforms — smashing the idols the people had worshiped during the reign of his father and leading the Jews toward a renewed relationship with God. He re-captured Philistine-occupied lands in the Negev desert, formed alliances with Ashkelon and Egypt, and made a stand against Assyria by refusing to pay tribute. In response, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, attacked the fortified cities of Judah. While Sennacherib was besie ...

See also:

Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem, Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - Hezekiah's reforms, Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - Jerusalem besieged, Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - The hexagonal prism and other sources, Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - Sennacherib's end

Read more here: » Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem: Encyclopedia II - Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - Hezekiah's reforms

Sometime during the early part of the Assyrian invasion, Hezekiah met with his military staff concerning the possibility that Jerusalem may fall under siege. The staff immediately oversaw preparations for the Assyrian onslaught. In an effort to deprive the enemy of water, the Jews blocked the springs outside the city. Workers then dug a 533-meter tunnel to the Spring of Gihon, providing the city with fresh water. Additional siege preparations included fortification of the existing walls, construction of towers, and the erection of a new, rei ...

See also:

Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem, Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - Hezekiah's reforms, Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - Jerusalem besieged, Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - The hexagonal prism and other sources, Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - Sennacherib's end

Read more here: » Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem: Encyclopedia II - Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem - Jerusalem besieged