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Lesson 19 The Assyrian Empire 2 Kings 10:32-11:16

Assyrian Empire From 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 Empire The 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.Egypt ArvadAmmonitesAhabIsraelHadadezerDamascus Battle of Qarqar Against Israel JehuJehu 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.HazaelJehuBlack ObeliskBritish MuseumPhoenician

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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