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Lesson 19

The Assyrian Empire2 Kings 10:32-11:16

Assyrian EmpireFrom their origins in a few major cities on the Tigris river in Northern Iraq—Nineveh, Ashur, and Kalakh—the Assyrians

grew by the 9th century BC to control most of the Middle East, from Egypt to the Persian Gulf. Almost uniformly illiterate (not that unusual for the time) the Assyrians regarded warfare as their most important activity, and

considered it a divinely-inspired goal to impose their gods upon conquered territories. They were the first major power

to equip soldiers with iron weapons and to master the tactics of the light horse-drawn chariot, and this, combined with their superb military organization, turned them into the most successful fighting power the ancient world had yet

seen. At its height the Assyrian army numbered in the hundreds of thousands, and the thunder of its chariotry

inspired fear in all who heard it.

Assyrian EmpireThe Assyrian strategy for conquest depended

heavily on psychological warfare. They would first send their "cup-bearers"—the representatives of the king—to try and persuade a city to surrender without a fight. If this failed, the Assyrian army would then surround the city and shout at the

defenders, trying to convince them that resistance was useless. Woe to the people who still refused to capitulate, for if forced to fight, the Assyrians would then bring out their giant wheeled siege towers and

enormous armored battering rams to breach the city walls.

Assyrian Empire

"I am powerful, I am omnipotent, I am a hero, I am

gigantic, I am colossal!“ One of King Esarhaddon of Assyria's inscriptions, 7th century BC

Assyrian Empire

934 B.C. Ashur-dan II establishes the Neo-Assyrian empire. The Empire unifies the Middle East, from Egypt to the Caspian Sea, under one rule and by so doing lays the foundation for the subsequent rise of the Persians, Hellenism, Christianity, and Islam. Great advances in

science, technology, philosophy, medicine, and government are made. The Assyrian conquests spread civilization to formerly savage lands. This aspect of the

Neo- Assyrian empire is often overshadowed by scholars' baffling preoccupation with the Assyrian

military machine and its so-called "barbaric behavior".

Assyrian Empire

The Assyrians never conquered and destroyed, they conquered and civilized, teaching their subjects the art of the highest civilization then in existence. The cultural unification of the middle east is a subtle point to grasp,

yet it must be understood that this was the greatest achievement of the Assyrians. Other achievements in

that period are to numerous to list fully. Some examples are: paved roads, postal system, magnifying glass,

electric battery, plumbing (with flush toilet), the first use of iron, the first chariots, the first aqueduct (which was in use until 1996 A.D.), the first library, the first system of

musical notation.

Assyria and Israel

In 853 BC a coalition which was formed by the kingdoms of Egypt, Hamath,

Arvad, the Ammonites, "Ahab of Israel" and other neighboring states, under the leadership of king Hadadezer of Damascus, defeated the Assyrian king at Battle of Qarqar. However, the Assyrian king persevered in his attempts to

subjugate Israel and Syria. Other battles soon followed in 849 BC and 846 BC.

Against IsraelJehu bows before Shalmaneser III.

In 842 BC, Shalmaneser campaigned against Hadadezer's successor Hazael, forcing him to take refuge within the walls of his capital. While Shalmaneser

was unable to capture Damascus, he devastated its territory, and Jehu of Israel (whose ambassadors are represented on the Black Obelisk now in the British Museum), together with the Phoenician cities, prudently sent tribute to him in

841 BC.

Shalmaneser III

859 – 824 B.C. 853 B.C. (days of Ahab) attempted to

invade Canaan Turned away by a coalition

Led by Irhulein king of Hamath Ben-hadad king of Syria Ahab king of Israel

Hazael king of Syria Became king in 842 B.C. Shalmaneser III king of Assyria Just before Jehu became king of Israel Shalmaneser attacked Damascus in

841 B.C. Hazael had no help Shalmaneser could not talk the

heavily fortified city

Jehu king of Israel

Submitted himself to Shalmaneser Monument erected

Black Obelisk “The tribute to Jehu, son of Omri”

Shalmaneser’s last attempt to subdue Syria was in 837 B.C.

No more threats for 25 years Hazael turns attention to Israel

“Cut Israel Short” 2Ki 10:32 In those days the LORD

began to cut off parts of Israel; and Hazael conquered them in all the territory of Israel

33 from the Jordan eastward: all the land of Gilead-Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh…

Israel’s territory is shrinking Note Elisha’s words in 2 Kings 8:12

Jehu Dies

Jehu dies and is buried in Samaria He reigned 28 years Jehoahaz, his son, is king of Israel

Background on Joash Athaliah

Daughter of Ahab and Jezebel Mother of Ahaziah who was king of Judah

1 year Killed all the royal heirs

After Ahaziah died Joash, son of Ahaziah, was hid and not

killed Joash was hid in the house of the Lord for

6 years

Joash is made king

Jehoiada is the high priest Directed the captains of the guard

with a plan to make Joash king Guard change was on the Sabbath Two groups of guards going off duty

would remain and guard the temple

Joash is made king

One-third of those coming on duty would guard the king’s house

One-third at the gate Sur One-third at the gate behind the

escorts Surround the king on every side with

weapons in hand Kill anyone who gets too close

Joash is made king

Everyone was in place Jehoiada gave them weapons from the

temple arsenal Joash is brought out and crowned king He is given a copy of the Law “Long live the king”

Athaliah’s Death

Athaliah heard the noise She came to the temple and saw the

king “Treason! Treason!” Jehoiada gave command to take her

away and kill her And, kill anyone who follows her

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