Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/357

 time Holofernes,  general-in-chief  of  the  Assyrian  forces,  came  at the  head  of  a mighty  army  to  overthrow  the  kingdom  of  Juda, as he  had  overthrown  many  other  kingdoms.



Having taken  all  the  cities  and  strongholds  of  the  country, and treated  their  inhabitants  with  savage  cruelty,  he  came  to  lay siege to  Bethulia  (Fig.  53). He cut  off  the  aqueducts  which supplied the  city  with  water,  and  thereby  reduced  the  citizens  to such  an  extremity  that  the  elders  resolved  to  give  up  the  city in five  days,  unless  they  were  relieved  before  that  time. Meanwhile they  prayed  fervently  to  God,  humbled  themselves  before Him, and  strewed  ashes  on  their  heads.