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Sennacherib did indeed invade in 713 BC (Ussher)<ref name=Ussher/>, in the fourteenth year of Hezekiah's reign. (Thiele assumes that Sennacherib invaded in 701 BC.<ref name=Wood/>) Hezekiah ordered the stoppage of all wells and even the diversion of a brook,<ref name=GeoCities/> so that Sennacherib's armies could not use them. He repaired definitively the breach in the wall that [[Joash of Israel]] had made in his war against [[Amaziah]], and built another wall--the Broad Wall--beyond that.<ref name=Lynch>Lynch, Doyle. "[http://www.digbible.org/tour/hezekiahswall.html Hezekiah's Broad Wall]." http://www.digbible.org/ Retrieved May 28, 2007.</ref> Hezekiah commissioned the making of abundant weapons and shields, and appointed an officer corps for training and discipline.<ref name=GeoCities/> He then told all his people to keep up their courage.<ref name=Konig/><ref name=Orr/>

Sennacherib did indeed invade in 713 BC (Ussher)<ref name=Ussher/>, in the fourteenth year of Hezekiah's reign. (Thiele assumes that Sennacherib invaded in 701 BC.<ref name=Wood/>) Hezekiah ordered the stoppage of all wells and even the diversion of a brook,<ref name=GeoCities/> so that Sennacherib's armies could not use them. He repaired definitively the breach in the wall that [[Joash of Israel]] had made in his war against [[Amaziah]], and built another wall--the Broad Wall--beyond that.<ref name=Lynch>Lynch, Doyle. "[http://www.digbible.org/tour/hezekiahswall.html Hezekiah's Broad Wall]." http://www.digbible.org/ Retrieved May 28, 2007.</ref> Hezekiah commissioned the making of abundant weapons and shields, and appointed an officer corps for training and discipline.<ref name=GeoCities/> He then told all his people to keep up their courage.<ref name=Konig/><ref name=Orr/>

Sennacherib enjoyed some initial success, for he captured several fortified cities on the outskirts of the kingdom. Hezekiah first sent an urgent letter to Sennacherib's camp at [[Lachish]], apologizing for the suspension of tribute and saying that he would pay any amount that Sennacherib asked. Sennacherib asked for 300 [[talent]]s of [[silver]] and 30 talents of [[gold]]. (The Taylor Prism suggests that Sennacherib demanded 800 silver talents, but confirms the gold figure.<ref name=BibleHx/>) Hezekiah paid it with all the silver in the Temple and by stripping the gold from the Temple pillars and doors.<ref name=AllAboutGod/><ref name=WebBible/><ref name=Aust/>

Sennacherib enjoyed some initial success, for he captured several fortified cities on the outskirts of the kingdom. Hezekiah first sent an urgent letter to Sennacherib's camp at [[Lachish]], apologizing for the suspension of tribute and saying that he would pay any amount that Sennacherib asked. Sennacherib asked for 300 [[talent]]s of [[silver]] and 30 talents of [[gold]]. (The Taylor Prism suggests that Sennacherib demanded 800 silver talents, but confirms the gold figure.<ref name=BibleHx/>) Hezekiah paid it with all the silver in the Temple and by stripping the gold from the Temple pillars and doors.<ref name=AllAboutGod/><ref name=Aust/>

Sennacherib was not satisfied<ref name=GeoCities/>--or perhaps he thought he had Hezekiah's measure, after that subordinate gesture, or perhaps he was merely greedy.<ref name=Aust/> He sent three of his ranking officers--Tartan, Rabsaris, and Rabshakeh--to Jerusalem at the head of a large detachment. Rabshakeh delivered a classic [[propaganda]] speech that would have made [[Tokyo Rose]] (whoever she was) or [[Lord Haw-Haw]] proud. But, as is typical of propaganda, Rabshakeh demonstrated nothing so much as a total misunderstanding of the nature of [[God]] and contempt for all things non-[[Assyria]]n. For instance, Rabshakeh asked whether the God that Hezekiah trusted was the same God Whose "[[high place]]s" Hezekiah had removed--in total ignorance of God's detestation of the high places and His repeated messages, delivered through several prophets and [[Judges]], to that effect. Rabshakeh even delivered his message in Hebrew, so that all who heard him would understand him. His message was as simple as it was brazen: that the Southerners should simply open the gates and surrender.<ref name=AllAboutGod/><ref name=WebBible/>

Sennacherib was not satisfied<ref name=GeoCities/>--or perhaps he thought he had Hezekiah's measure, after that subordinate gesture, or perhaps he was merely greedy.<ref name=Aust/> He sent three of his ranking officers--Tartan, Rabsaris, and Rabshakeh--to Jerusalem at the head of a large detachment. Rabshakeh delivered a classic [[propaganda]] speech that would have made [[Tokyo Rose]] (whoever she was) or [[Lord Haw-Haw]] proud. But, as is typical of propaganda, Rabshakeh demonstrated nothing so much as a total misunderstanding of the nature of [[God]] and contempt for all things non-[[Assyria]]n. For instance, Rabshakeh asked whether the God that Hezekiah trusted was the same God Whose "[[high place]]s" Hezekiah had removed--in total ignorance of God's detestation of the high places and His repeated messages, delivered through several prophets and [[Judges]], to that effect. Rabshakeh even delivered his message in Hebrew, so that all who heard him would understand him. His message was as simple as it was brazen: that the Southerners should simply open the gates and surrender.<ref name=AllAboutGod/><ref name=WebBible/>