King Marduk-apla-iddina (Merodach-Baladan), the Chaldean King of Babylonia, was the son of King Baladan.
He reigned as King of Babylonia (r. 722-710, 703-702 BC).
Shortly after King Sennacherib (r. 705–681 BC) inherited the throne from his father, King Sargon II (r. 721-705 BC)… Marduk-apla-iddina, retook Babylon and allied with the Elamites.
In 703 Sennacherib led an army against Marduk-apla-iddina, whom he defeated near Kish. Marduk-apla-iddina retreated to the security of the southern marshes until three years later, when he was able to elicit further Elamite assistance.
The Assyrians broke up the attempt. Marduk-apla-iddina fled across the Persian Gulf to take refuge in south Elam where he died.
Hezekiah, King of Judah, perhaps incited by King Marduk-apla-iddina to join in the anti-Assyrian coalition, seized King Padi, a pro-Assyrian ruler of Ekron.
According to Sennacherib, when King Padi was imprisoned by Hezekiah (c. 701 BC), he forced his release and forced Hezekiah to cede Judean territory to him.
—
About the Author: Lawrence Jean-Louis is the founder of eBrand Me, a digital marketing agency offering marketing & consultative services to CPAs and tax professionals. She aspires to start a money management firm by 2030.
