Hezekiah prepared for a possible invasion by the Assyrians during Sennacherib's reign by digging a water tunnel as a defensive measure (Tullock, J. &McEntire, M. 2012). Hezekiah was also drawn to the conflict, however, with much the same results (Tullock, J. 2012). Expecting an invasion by Sennacherib (704–681 b.c.e...), he set about strengthening the defenses of Jerusalem (Tullock, J. & McEntire, M. 2012). Among other things, to ensure a safe water supply, he had a tunnel dug from the Gihon Spring in the Kidron Valley to a pool in the city (Tullock, J. & McEntire, M. 2012). The source of the spring was then covered so that the enemy could not find it (Tullock, J. & McEntire, M. 2012).

One water tunnel was not enough to stop Sennacherib