Page 32 - Bible Geography and Near East Studies - Textbook w videos short

wanted to control traffic through narrow Israel. When we read the Bible, therefore, it’s not surprising to
read of Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian and Roman forces inside the Promised Land.

The Assyrian Empire
Remember….
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In the 14 century BC, Assyria was limited to the area around Nineveh and After Solomon’s rule, the united
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Assur. It’s greatest expansion was in the 7 century BC. In 854 BC kingdom of Israel was divided by
Shalmanassar clashed with the allied armies of 11 kings, including king Ahab civil war. The northern tribes took
of Israel. In 732, Damascus was conquered by Tiglathpileser III and in 722 BC, the name “Israel.” The southern
tribes took the name “Judah.”
Samaria fell to Sargon II (II Kings 17:6). This marked the end of the northern
Kingdom of Israel. In 701 Jerusalem was besieged by Sennacherib (II Kings Interestingly, the northern tribes
19) who had destroyed Babylon in 689. Sennacherib was defeated by the controlled Megiddo. For a season,
angel of the Lord and returned to Nineveh only to die at the hands of his this made Israel wealthy and
sons. powerful, as it had done for
Solomon when he was alive. By
The Assyrians were the time the northern tribes
completely ruthless realized they needed a miracle,
in their treatment they had no relationship with the
of those they Lord that could have provided
that miracle.
conquered. When
destroying the “Israel” would disappear forever.
northern Kingdom, Only Judah would survive,
God used Assyria to eventually returning to Jerusalem
judge Israel’s from exile as the “Jewish” people.
idolatry, and His
judgment was severe. After warning Israel
over years of sending various prophets, God’s
judgment was swift. Thousands lost their lives
or were displaced by the brutality of the
Assyrian empire. The terror the Assyrian army
produced in western Asia was understandable, as their war machine was second to none.

The Rise and Fall of the Assyrian Empire

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