Isaiah 20:1

1. In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod There is uncertainty as to date, but it lay probably between B.C. 727 and 720. “Tartan” is an official name, like captain-general. Of the Assyrian kings mentioned in the Bible, Sargon’s name occurs only here. According to the present state of decipherments of the Assyrian texts, it is probable that Sargon was a usurper of the throne during the three years’ siege of Samaria by Shalmaneser. 2 Kings 18:9-12. It is likewise probable that he completed that siege and himself took Samaria; that he was the father and predecessor of Sennacherib; that his reign began in the same year (B.C.

721) with that of Merodach-Baladan in the then subordinate province of Babylon, and that his reign was long and prosperous. “Ashdod” was the key to Egypt, and when laid waste only Lachish lay much in the way of unhindered passage into that country; hence Sennacherib afterward laid siege to and took that city. See these facts stated more fully at chapters xxxvi-xxxix.