CHAPTER XXVII: HEZEKIAH AND ASSYRIA (B.C. 701) [27]319

HEZEKIAH'S SICKNESS--THE BABYLONIAN EMBASSY [26]305

The story of Hezekiah's illness misplaced--At the point of death--Isaiah's message--The king's agony of mind--The prayer--The reprieve--The sun-dial of Ahaz--The king's gratitude and thanksgiving--Merodach-Baladan--Rising power of Babylon--Object of the embassy--The king's action--The prophet's reproof--The king's humble submission.

HEZEKIAH AND ASSYRIA (B.C. 701) [27]319

Greatness of Sargon--His campaigns--Defeat of Egypt at the battle of Raphia--Ashdod--Defeat of Merodach-Baladan--Grandeur of Sennacherib--His invasion of Judæa--Earlier collisions--His campaigns--1. Against Babylon--2. Against Elam--3. Against the Hittites and Philistines--Defeat of the Ethiopian Tirhakah at Altaqu--Heavy mulct imposed on Hezekiah--Siege of Lachish--Sennacherib breaks his compact--Distress of Jerusalem.