The Assyrian Empire experienced waves of ascendency, the first in 1100 BC, the second in the mid 800s BC, and the third in the mid 700s. In 853 Shalmaneser III invaded Syria (to be distinguished from Assyria), and in the Battle of Qarqar (on the Orontes) confronted a coalition of twelve kings (including Ahab of Israel, Hadad-ezer of Damascus and others). Assyria emerged victorious and thereafter received tribute from numerous countries, including from Israel in 841 and 802 BC. After a period of weakness due to revolts and encroachments, the Assyrian emperor Tiglath-pileser III (r. 744-727) revived Assyria's conquests. Ahaz, king of Judah 736-721 BC, bribed him to counter the attacks of Israel and Damascus on Judah (2 Kings 16:5-9; Isaiah 7-8). Tiglath-pileser III then conquered Damascus and incorporated it in his empire. He also annexed all of Israel except for Samaria, and installed Hoshea on the throne of Israel. Samaria submitted in 722 BC. The reference to Jerusalem in Isaiah 7 is to the Assyrians, who then held Jerusalem, having annexed all of Israel but Samaria. |