[1] Some time before the return of the Assyrians, Hezekiah had
sought to deprecate the wrath of Sennacherib, of which
terrible rumours had reached him from Lachish. For this end
he had sent ambassadors, in the hope that they might
possibly convince the great king that no treachery was
intended, and save the country from a second invasion, or
possibly even obtain favourable terms for Lachish itself.
The embassy had found him at the city, which was soon after
taken by storm, and delivered to the tender mercies of the
soldiery. A slab from his palace at Nineveh, now in the
British Museum, shows him in state "receiving plunder of
the town of Lachish." He sits on a throne before his tent,
two arrows in one hand and his bow in the other, while
prisoners are being brought before him, an officer,
attended by a guard, stating the facts respecting them. Two
eunuchs stand with feather flaps to wave over him for
coolness, and to keep away the flies. Two horses, ready for
his use, are behind, soldiers with tall lances attending
them. The front rank of prisoners before him kneel to
implore mercy, and behind them is a long file of their
unfortunate companions. Some whose fate has already been
decided have been led a short way off and killed; others
may be spared as slaves. A chariot with two horses stands
near--perhaps that of Sennacherib--and numerous fruit-trees
over the whole slab show the fruitfulness of the country. A
strong force of horse and foot on the right of the picture
guards the king.--_Giekie._