733 b.c.

King Ahaz of Judah, suffering attacks on all sides due to his refusal to join an alliance against Assyria, called upon Tiglath-pileser III (also called Pul) of Assyria for help. The Assyrians captured Damascus (Syria) and all of Galilee and Gilead from Israel. Ahaz’s petition came at a price, however, for he was required to pay a large tribute to Assyria and make Judah a vassal kingdom of the empire.