דברי הימים ב, פרק ל״ב, פסוק ד׳

Facing an impending siege, King Hezekiah made a dramatic tactical decision to cut off the water supply around Jerusalem. Military sieges typically occur during the summer months, a time when an invading army's need for water is just as critical as its need for food [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. To prevent the Assyrian forces from sustaining themselves, Hezekiah launched a massive operation to block the springs located in the open country outside the city walls [מצודת דוד]. At that time, these waters flowed with immense force and abundance [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The primary approach among commentators is that this powerful stream refers to the Gihon spring [רלב״ג, רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. However, there are differing views regarding its exact identity. Some suggest it was the great Gihon river, known as one of the four rivers emerging from the Garden of Eden [ראב ע ורמ״ה, מובאים בחומת אנך]. Conversely, others maintain that it was not the ancient biblical river, but rather a smaller local spring in Jerusalem, also known as the waters of Shiloah [רש י ותרגום יונתן, מובאים בחומת אנך].

Hezekiah's bold choice to seal off the Gihon sparked a significant debate among the early Sages regarding its justification. One tradition records that the Sages did not approve of this action, viewing it as an inappropriate measure [תוספתא, מובאת בחומת אנך]. On the other hand, a different tradition views the sealing of the spring as a moment where Hezekiah's thoughts perfectly aligned with the will of God, a decision that ultimately secured his success [אבות דרבי נתן, מובא בחומת אנך].