The Distress of the Israelites

The whole Assyrian army, their infantry, chariots and cavalry surrounded them for 34 days until all the vessels of water belonging to every inhabitant of Buthulaya were empty. Their sisters were going dry and they did not have enough water to drink their fill for a single day because it was measured out to them to drink. The women and young men fainted from thirst and fell down in the streets of the city and in the passages through the gates. There was no strength left in them any longer. They told Uzziah: "God be judged between you and us" And he agreed that we would rather be captured than die as slaves but our lives will be spared.