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SennacheribEncountering Assyria's great and terrifying rulerVivid historySENNACHERIB How many readers of EN have made a Bible Study of Sennacherib? Clive Anderson offers a series of ten lessons based on the history of Sennacherib and Hezekiah, as told in the Bible and Assyrian records. He portrays Sennacherib as a practical man, interested in irrigation projects, building work and social welfare, ‘the one who helps the destitute’. At the same time, he was an experienced soldier, a general eager to expand Assyria’s power. His attack on Hezekiah is vividly imagined, based on discoveries at Lachish and scenes carved at the palace in Nineveh. Each section ends with suggestions for further study and questions leading readers to connect ancient situations with modern. The reviewer missed a clear outline of how king Ahaz had made Judah subject to Assyria and so Hezekiah, his son, broke it by allying himself with Assyria’s enemies, despite Isaiah’s warnings (ch.31). Hezekiah’s disloyalty resulted in the deaths of many Judaeans, the exile of 200,150 and most of Judah ravaged, except Jerusalem. A major question arises over the justification for Hezekiah’s action and its disastrous effects on his realm. Anderson suggests Sennacherib found the tribute Hezekiah paid too small, but 2 Kings 18.14-16 is better taken as a summary of the account running from 18.17-19.37. Those reservations apart, this booklet should stimulate Bible readers to understand Judah’s history better and see its relevance for today. Alan Millard, © Evangelicals Now - October 2007 |