In the first year of the reign of Ahaz, king of Juda, Rezin, king of
Syria, and Pekah, king of Israel, presented themselves in warlike array
before Jerusalem. Their design was to dethrone Ahaz and put an end
to the dynasty of David. But their ambitious project was checked by
the sight of the fortifications, and, after a few vain attempts, they
retreated with disgrace.
Some time after, the Holy City was attacked by a much more redoubtable
enemy. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, claimed of Hezekiah the tribute
which his weak father, Ahaz, had consented to pay; and after having
overrun Ethiopia, besieged him in his capital. The fate of Jerusalem
seemed pronounced, and the kingdom was about to fall into the power
of a haughty and irritated conqueror; but the hand of Providence
intervened; a miraculous slaughter of the Assyrians took place in one
night, and the army of Sennacherib retreated precipitately.