Assyria Attacks Damascus

The Assyrians Destroy the Aramean City of Damascus

The Assyrian response to king Ahaz’s request was devastating. In 734 B.C. Assyria attacked Syria's chief city Damascus and put it under siege. King Rezin was slain, their nobles were impaled upon stakes and the city was burned and every city in the region was leveled. Over 800 citizens of nobility were led away as captives to Assyria.

The Bible records this transaction:

2 Kings 16:7-9 "So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hand of the king of Syria and from the hand of the king of Israel, who rise up against me." And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasuries of the king's house, and sent it as a present to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria heeded him; for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus and took it, carried its people captive to Kir, and killed Rezin."

The Assyrian Chronicles record that Damascus withstood a two year siege. Ahaz of Judah met with and paid tribute to Tiglath Pileser.

"I received tribute from Jauhazi (Ahaz) of Judah."