The long-expected crisis finally came. The forces of Assyria, advancing from triumph to triumph, appeared in Judea. Confident of victory, the leaders divided their forces into two armies, one of which was to meet the Egyptian army to the southward, while the other was to besiege Jerusalem.

Til sidst kom den længe ventede krise. De assyriske hære, som var draget sejrende frem overalt, rykkede nu ind i Judæa. Hærførerne var sejrssikre. De delte deres styrker i to afdelinger og sendte den ene mod syd for at kæmpe imod ægypterhæren, mens den anden skulle belejre Jerusalem.