What is a siege? In ancient times, a “siege” occurred when an enemy army surrounded a city and demanded that it surrender. If the city refused, the invaders cut off food and water supplies and attempted to tear down the city’s defensive walls. Cities usually surrendered when they ran out of water. Those who fought to the end faced terrible consequences when their enemies finally overwhelmed them (6:24–7:20; 17:5; 25:1–2).