Hezekiah's Jerusalem

Hezekiah's Tunnel

Hezekiah's Jerusalem is known as "The growth of the city", many changes took place and in turn Jerusalem went through a Golden Age. 

Leading up to that point Jerusalem went through some rough patches. Rehoboam, Solomon's son who reigned from 930-913 BCE, wanted to show people that he was entirely more superior than his father. In turn the North people rebelled and became Israel, while Rehoboam was leader over the 2 tribes in the South, becoming Judah. In response to the separation of the North and South, the North set up two shrines to which the people could worship so they would have to leave to the South to support their economy. In the midst of their differences, pacts and alliances and battles are taking place. In short, the rise of the Assyrian Empire begins, but eventually they fall to the reign of the Babylonians in 609 BCE. 

The North now starts to flee to the South causing Urbanization. They also change their language to Aramaic. Jerusalem drastically changes in the realms of family structures, religious movements, centralization of power, social justice issues, and urban vs, rural. In prep for these changes Hezekiah starts to fortify and increase water supply, hence Hezekiah's tunnel. From this archaeological evidence we conclude he was preparing for war against Assyria. Hezekiah was successful in his feat and went on religious reform, which was only to be turned over by successor Josiah.