In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;
Ver. 1. In the year that Tartan.] A certain commander under Sennacherib, 2Ki 18:17 who came against Ashdod, among other cities of Judah, about the twelfth year of king Hezekiah.
Came to Ashdod.] Called also Azotus, Act 8:40 and much praised by Herodotus in Euterpe.
When Sargon.] That is, Sennacherib most likely, who had seven names, saith Jerome, eight, say some Rabbis. Commodus, the Roman emperor, took unto himself as many names as there are months in the year, which also he changed ever and anon, but constantly-kept that of Exuperans, because he would have been thought to excel all men. a The like might be true of Sargon.
And fought against Ashdod, and took it.] Psammeticus, king of Egypt, had before taken it after a very long siege; now it is taken again from the Egyptian by the Assyrian, to teach them and others not to trust to forts and fenced cities. b
a Dion.
b Herod., lib. ii.