T- Part II

Ps. 137: 1-6 By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down and wept, When we remembered Zion. Upon the willows in the midst of it We hung our harps. For there our captors demanded of us songs, And our tormentors mirth, {saying,} "Sing us one of the songs of Zion." How can we sing the LORD'S song In a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, May my right hand forget {her skill.} May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.

Tel Er-Rumeileh Ancient Beth-Shemesh. Fifteen miles south west of Jerusalem. Ark of
Covenant was brought here by Philistines from Ashdod and Ekron (1 Sam. 4:6). The men of looked into the ark of the covenant, which was forbidden. God struck down fifty thousand husbands, sons and brothers. This resulted in many widow/destitute women. And the people mourned (1 Sam. 6:9ff).The ark remained here for twenty years until it was taken to Kiriath Jeriam. This is an mportant archaeological excavation site that shows both Canaanite and Israeli families occupied this area.

Tel es-Safi Ancient city of Gath of the Philistines. Halfway between Jerusalem and
Askelon. One of the cities of the Philistine Pentapolis. The ark of the covenant rested here after being moved from Ashdod (1 Sam. 5:8). David fled here when he escaped from Saul. Goliath may have been born and raised here. In November 2005 it was reported that an inscription was found at the ruins of Gath that mention the name Goliath. What was his mother like? His wife? Ho was their lives changed by his life? His death? Today all that remains of Gath is an active archaeology site, noted as one of the largest pre-Hellenistic sites in Israel.

Tel Halif A Judahite town controlled by King Hezekiah. City destroyed by Sennacherib so quickly that the inhabitants had no time to flee. Remaining women were made widows and slaves. The tel is a present day mound south of Jerusalem and ten miles north of Beer-Sheva. Archaeologists think this is the ancient city mentioned in Joshua 15:32 and Zechariah 14:10. Archaeological excavations have unearthed building walls, pottery, grinding stones, bread ovens, cooking ovens, spindle whorls used to spin wool and hair into thread, women’s cosmetic palettes and ivory combs, beads, rings and pins from ten levels of civilization.

Tel Hazor Biblical Hazor. The head of the Canaanite kingdom (Josh. 11:10). Twenty miles north of Sea of Galilee. Hazor was the only city burned to the ground by Joshua when he defeated the northern kingdom (Josh. 11: 1-13).

The largest of the ongoing archaeological sites (200 acres) in Israel. Many families lived in this area over the years. Deborah guided Barak in his battle here against Sisera (Judg. 4:2-3, 24). Hazor figures prominently in the ancient history of Israel. (1 Kin. 9:15; 2 Kin. 15:9). Hazor, along with Megiddo, has recently been named a World Heritage site by UNESCO, as an honor that recognizes its cultural and historical importance.

Tel Mahata Ancient Arad, Canaanite city eleven miles southwest of Beersheba. People of Arad attacked the Israelites as they moved into the ‘land of milk and honey’ and took some men and women as prisoners. Israel was later victorious over Arad (Num.21:1-2; 33:40; Josh. 12:14; Judg. 1;16).

Tel Mirsim See Debir.

Tel Miqne Remains of Ekron, one of the five most important of the Philistine cities. The most northern of the five, midway between Jerusalem and the Mediterranean Sea. Twenty two miles southwest of Jerusalem. Ekron grew from a small unwalled city that the Philistines conquered, to eventually became a fifty acre community with monumental buildings, temples, fortifications and industrial sites. Archaeological discoveries include a large number of iron tools. Ark of the covenant was brought here from Gath. The men of the city suffered; many died leaving widows (1 Sam.5:8-12). From Ekron, the ark was returned to Israel at Beth Shemesh.

Tel Rehov Located in northern Jordan Valley. Heavily settled area. One of Israel’s largest and mot important archaeological site. Not mentioned in the Bible. Excavation began in 1997. One of the least known and least studied sites. This Canaanite city transitioned to Israelite rule at time of King David and Solomon.

Tel Rumeida Part of Hebron. Traditional burial site of Jesse, father of King David, and the gravesite of Ruth.

Tel Sheva Ruins of Beersheba.