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Sargon

/SAHR-gon/

Summary

A powerful king of Assyria who completed the conquest of Samaria, deported Israel, and conducted major military campaigns throughout the ancient Near East.

☩Historical Identity

Sargon (Hebrew: Sargon; Assyrian: Shar-ukin, meaning 'established king' or 'firm king') reigned from approximately 722 to 705 BC. He succeeded Shalmaneser V and was the father of Sennacherib. His name appears only once in Scripture, in Isaiah's prophecy regarding the capture of Ashdod. He was likely a usurper, as he carefully avoids mention of his father in his inscriptions.

Key verses:Isaiah 20:1

☩Conquest of Samaria

Sargon claims the conquest of Samaria in his annals, though Shalmaneser V had begun the siege. He may have completed the capture after Shalmaneser's death, or claimed it because the city fell after he had been acknowledged king in Assyria. He states he carried away 27,280 inhabitants of Samaria to Halah, Habor (Khabur), the river of Gozan, and later to cities of the Medes.

Key verses:2 Kings 17:62 Kings 18:9-11

☩Military Campaigns

Sargon was an extremely successful warrior. His annals covering 15 years describe expeditions against Babylonia, Susiana, Media, Armenia, Cappadocia, Syria, Palestine, Arabia, and Egypt. He deposed Merodach-baladan of Babylon, subdued Philistia, and forced Egypt to pay tribute. In 712 BC, he sent his general Tartan against Ashdod, the event Isaiah references.

Key verses:Isaiah 20:1-4

☩Archaeological Confirmation

Isaiah was the sole witness to Sargon's existence for 25 centuries until Assyrian monuments confirmed his reign. Critics had doubted his existence since he wasn't mentioned in Kings or Chronicles. The discovery of his palace at Khorsabad (ancient Dur-Sharrukin), one of the most magnificent Assyrian palaces, vindicated Isaiah's testimony.

Related Verses1 mention

Isaiah· 1 verse

20:1

References

  1. 1.James Orr (ed.), "Sargon," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
  2. 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sargon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  3. 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sargon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  4. 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sargon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  5. 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Sargon," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
  6. 6.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Sargon," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
  7. 7.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sargon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  8. 8.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Sargon," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).