Assyrian downfall through Isaiah’s eyes (2 Kings 15–23) 7 what was right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kgs 18,3). 2 Kgs 18,9-12 summarize chapter 17 and the narrative continues with another annalistic section reporting Sennacherib’s invasion and Hezekiah’s submission (2 Kgs 18,13-16). The syntax of 2 Kgs 18,1-16 is simple. The narration is developed by means of waw-consecutive forms and the number of heroes is kept as low as possible. The style abruptly changes in 2 Kgs 18,17. Six new heroes — three representatives of Judah and three representatives of Assyria — appear on the scene (2 Kgs 18,17). Moreover, the Jerusalemites sitting on the city walls appear in 2 Kgs 18,26-27 as well as the prophet Isaiah 2 Kgs 19,2. The rhetoric changes as well. The dry annalistic style of 2 Kgs 18,1-16 gives place to a sophisticated rhetoric full of direct discourses, prayers, and prophecies in 2 Kgs 18,17-19,31. Numerous rhetorical figures (17) draw the readers into the plot and make them experience the plight of the Jerusalemites under Assyrian siege. Scholars generally agree (18) that the change of style in 2 Kgs 18,17 is the result of the combination of different sources, A (annalistic) and B (discursive) (19). By doing this, the biblical writers gave Hezekiah’s encounter with Sennacherib weight that cannot be justified from extrabiblical sources. The meaning of this biblical emphasis should be seen in the context of the rules characterizing Assyrian control of the subjugated kingdoms (20) — the Assyrians rewarded loyal kings and punished disloyal ones. According to these rules Hezekiah’s rebellion against Assyria rightly triggered the Assyrian punitive campaign. Hezekiah, seeing the destruction of Judah, recognized “his sin” and paid the tribute (2 Kgs 18,13-16). Following the rules of Assyrian international policy, Hezekiah’s tribute should have been sufficient to pay off his sin (cf. 2 Kgs 15,20). However, Sennacherib after having accepted Hezekiah’s tribute did not return to Assyria as one could expect but (17) P. DUBOVSK´ , Hezekiah and the Assyrian Spies. Reconstruction of the Y Neo-Assyrian Intelligence Services and Its Significance for 2 Kings 18-19 (BibOr 49; Rome 2006) 10-26. (18) For a review of present scholarly opinions see MACHINIST, “The Rab πaqeh”, 154. (19) COGAN, II Kings, 242-244. The best example suggesting that the combination of sources A and B into one account was intentional is the use of the geographical term Lachish. Hezekiah sent his messengers to Lachish to negotiate the conditions of his surrender (18,14) and Sennacherib sent his messengers from Lachish to negotiate the surrender of Jerusalem (18,17). See also the verb bwv used in both sources (A: 18,14; B: 19,7.33.36). (20) M. COGAN, “Judah under Assyrian Hegemony: A Reexamination of Imperialism and Religion”, JBL 112 (1993) 404-414.