Hezekiah accordingly shut himself up within the strong walls of his capital, while the Assyrians ravaged the rest of the country and prepared to besiege Jerusalem.

The cities and villages were destroyed, and 200,150 persons were led away into captivity.

But at this moment a catastrophe befell the Assyrians which saved Hezekiah and "the remnant" of Israel.
The angel of death smote the Assyrian army, and it was decimated by a sudden pestilence.

Sennacherib fled from the plague-stricken camp, carrying with him his spoil and captives, and the scanty relics of his troops.

It was the last time he marched to the west, and his rebellious vassal remained unpunished.
In the following year troubles in Babylonia called him to the south.
Merodach-baladan was hunted out of the marshes, and fled with his subjects across the Persian Gulf to the opposite coast of Elam, while a son of Sennacherib was made king of Babylon.