Interesting Facts

• Susi was the king of Sarton.
• Sarton is described as a very high and fortified city with a deep rampart.
• The inhabitants of Sarton assembled to fight the sons of Jacob because they had slain their king.
• Susi was killed by Jacob with an arrow.
• The sons of Jacob did unto Sarton and its inhabitants as they had done to Chazar.

Genealogy

• The provided sources offer no information regarding Susi’s ancestry, birth, marital connections, or offspring. He is solely identified by his title as the king of Sarton.

Historical Context

Susi’s reign as king of Sarton occurred during a period of intense conflict between the sons of Jacob and various Canaanite and Amorite cities. This period was marked by the return of Jacob’s sons to Shechem and their subsequent battles against neighboring cities, including Chazar and Gaash. The kings of these cities, including Susi, likely sought to defend their territories and avenge the deaths of their fellow rulers at the hands of Jacob and his sons. The description of Sarton as a highly fortified city with a significant rampart suggests a time when urban centers prioritized defense against potential invaders. The actions of the sons of Jacob, characterized by aggressive military campaigns against multiple cities, created a climate of fear and resistance among the remaining Canaanite and Amorite populations.

Narrative

Susi, the king of the fortified city of Sarton, enters the narrative in the context of the widespread conflict initiated by the sons of Jacob. Following the deaths of other kings, such as the king of Tapnach and the king of Chazar, the inhabitants of Sarton assembled to fight the sons of Jacob in response to the slaying of their own king, Susi. The text explicitly states that Jacob killed Susi with an arrow. This act further fueled the conflict between Jacob’s family and the Amorite cities. Despite Sarton’s strong defenses, including a deep rampart and enclosed gates, the sons of Jacob eventually breached the city and engaged its inhabitants in battle. The narrative indicates that the battle in Sarton was fierce, with the sons of Jacob facing resistance even after entering the city. Ultimately, the sons of Jacob prevailed, slaying the inhabitants and taking the spoil of the city, mirroring their actions in Chazar. Susi’s death at the hand of Jacob underscores the significant losses suffered by the Amorite kings in their opposition to Jacob and his increasingly powerful family.