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It is always interesting to compare the history of ancient peoples as revealed in the Bible with those historical facts which can be learned through secular histories, archeology, and the like. In several instances, the Bible has proven itself to be a far better history than those written by men. For a long time, Sargon, King of Assyria, was unknown in secular history, and people were not sure what to make of the reference to him in Isaiah 20:1. At length, however, archeological discoveries confirmed that there was a Sargon who was King of Assyria from 721 to 705 B.C.
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Reproduced above is a photograph of a relief fragment found in the throne room of the palace of Sargon. Below is a close-up of the same fragment.
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Assyrian soldiers are shown towing a boat laden with munitionsalong a river during one of Sargon's campaigns against Merodach Baladan, King of Babylon. Merodach Baladan's name is inscribed in the cuneiform text above the scene. This is the same Merodach Baladan who sent envoys with gifts to Hezekiah, King of Judah, upon the latter's recovery from illness (2 Kings 20:12, Isaiah 39:1).