The Biblical Account

1. After these faithful deeds, King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah and encamped against its fortified towns with the aim of taking them over. 2. When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come, intent on making war against Jerusalem, 3. he consulted with his officers and warriors about stopping the flow of the springs outside the city, and they supported him. 4. A large force was assembled to stop up all the springs and the wadi that flowed through the land, for otherwise, they thought, the king of Assyria would come and find water in abundance. 5. He acted with vigor, rebuilding the whole breached wall, raising towers on it, and building another wall outside it. He fortified the Millo of the City of David, and made a great quantity of arms and shields. 6. He appointed battle officers over the people; then, gathering them to him in the square of the city gate, he rallied them, saying, 7. “Be strong and of good courage; do not be frightened or dismayed by the king of Assyria or by the horde that is with him, for we have more with us than he has with him. 8. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” The people were encouraged by the speech of King Hezekiah of Judah.