Overview of Jerusalem's history from the beginning until now. Videos, maps, books, talks, archaeology, Bible teachings, history, walls, gates, people, and language of the people and places of Jerusalem, Israel. Jerusalem ~ God's Chosen City Photo Gallery Places of Interest Jerusalem - God’s Chosen City Introduction 1. There is no better place to see Old City Jerusalem and the City of David than from the Mount of Olives. 2. Jerusalem has been the center of God's dwelling place on earth throughout the Old Testament, and will be the center of His dwelling place during the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth after the Tribulation Period. Psalm 122:6: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you ! Psalm 132:13-14: For the Lord has chosen Zion ; he has desired it for his dwelling place : 14 “This is my resting place forever ; here I will dwell, for I have desired it . 3. Jerusalem is mentioned 791 times, and Salem 4 times in the Bible. It's the most mentioned place in the Bible. 4. Understanding its history is paramount to understanding the Bible. 5. We're going to soak in the view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives and learn all about it and the City of David. Location 1. Jerusalem is in the central part of Israel, about 33 miles (53 km) east of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea. 2. It’s situated at an altitude of 2,600 ft. (800 m) above sea level and is one of the highest cities in Israel. 3. It’s located on a mountain that is well protected. For this reason, it was hard for enemy forces to capture. 4. Jerusalem rests primarily upon bedrock, so everything was well preserved. 5. The Temple Mount is where the original temple Solomon built, and is where Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. Historical Background 1. Jerusalem means “City of Peace.” 2. It’s mentioned over 500 times in the Bible. 3. It’s first mentioned as the city in which King Melchizedek, King of Salem (Jerusalem) lived (Gen. 14:17). Melchizedek was a figure of Christ as he had neither beginning of days or end of life. Hebrews 7:1: For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 4. Jerusalem is the special dwelling place of God on this earth. Psalms 76:2: His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion . Psalm 135:21: Praise be to the LORD from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD. 5. It was in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, that Abraham was to offer Isaac, his firstborn son, to God, on the very place the temple would later be built. Genesis 22:2: Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” 6. Jerusalem was partially conquered by the Israelites when they entered the Promised Land. 7. Jerusalem was then later fully conquered by King David. 8. King David purchased the original Temple Mount in Jerusalem from Araunah when it was just a threshing floor. He purchased it to build an altar to the Lord. 9. Afterward, King David set up his throne in Jerusalem, and it became the ruling center of Israel from then on. 10. King Solomon then built the Temple in 960 BC on the exact location where Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac. This exact location was also the very threshing floor that King David had purchased. 2 Chronicles 3:1: Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father, David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David. 11. And at the dedication of the temple Solomon built, the temple was so filled with the glory of God that the priest had to withdraw and suspend their dedication service. 1 Kings 8:10–11: When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. 11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple. 12. Jerusalem became the center of worship in Israel. 13. The kings of Israel reigned from Jerusalem. 14. The prophets of Israel spoke and ministered in Jerusalem. 15. Unfortunately, the first temple built by Solomon was destroyed in 586 BC by Babylon because of God’s judgment on Israel for their disobedience to Him. 16. The altar and foundation of the second temple were built by Zerubbabel in 535 BC. 17. The construction of the second temple was completed in 515 BC. Ezra 6:3: In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. 18. Nehemiah then arrived to rebuild the city and walls of Jerusalem in 445 BC. Nehemiah 2:17: Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. 19. The Temple Mount Platform was enlarged by the Hasmoneans around 140 BC and then later enlarged tremendously by King Herod in 19 BC. 20. On top of the Temple Mount Platform (and over the existing second temple, which was later removed), a new massive temple was built by King Herod in 19 BC and was made more beautiful than any before it. 21. It was at this temple built by Herod that Christ and the disciples would minister. 22. Jesus was circumcised at the temple in Jerusalem after being born in Bethlehem. 23. Magi from the east came to visit Jerusalem to witness the birth of Jesus, the Messiah King. Matthew 2:1: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem. 24. Scripture records that Jesus appeared in Jerusalem at the age of 12, and His parents visited there regularly. 25. The temple in Jerusalem is the place where Christ was tempted by the Devil to throw Himself down headlong. 26. Christ visited and ministered in Jerusalem at least 10 times during His ministry years. 27. Christ died on the Cross in Jerusalem. Matthew 16:21: From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 28. Christ ascended to heaven in Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. 29. Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit happened in Jerusalem. 30. The Early Church was born in Jerusalem. Acts 2:1, 5–6, 41: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 31. The Apostle Paul grew up in Jerusalem under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). He probably sat at the Southern Stairs (Rabbi’s Stairs) learning from Gamaliel. 32. Stephen was martyred in Jerusalem as recounted in Acts 7. 33. Unfortunately, Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans as a result of Christ’s judgment on it for the Jews’ rejection of Him as their Messiah. 34. It was destroyed again in 132 AD in the Bar Kokhba Revolt. Later, Hadrian rebuilt and renamed it Aelia Capitolina. 35. It was later conquered by Muslims in 636 AD. 36. In 691 AD, the Dome of the Rock was built where the temple once stood. 37. Jerusalem was captured by the Crusaders in 1099 AD. 38. It was recaptured by the Muslims in 1187 AD. 39. It was ruled by the Mamluks in 1291 AD. 40. It was ruled by the Ottomans in 1516 AD. 41. Most of the walls and gates of Jerusalem that exist today were built around 1537 AD. 42. The nation of Israel was supernaturally re-gathered after almost 2,000 years of being scattered and became a nation again in 1948. 43. Christ will return to Jerusalem in power and great glory on the Mount of Olives at the end of the Great Tribulation Period. 44. The final judgment at the end of the Great Tribulation takes place in Jerusalem in the Kidron Valley. 45. Christ will reign for 1,000 years from Jerusalem after the Great Tribulation Period. 46. There will be a New Jerusalem that will be the center of the new heavens and new earth for eternity. Places of Interest 1. Temple Mount 2. Western Wall 3. Southern Stairs 4. Church of the Holy Sepulchre 5. Kidron Valley 6. Garden of Gethsemane 7. Triumphal Entry 8. Mount of Olives 9. City of David 10. Gihon Spring 11. Pool of Siloam 12. Pools of Bethesda 13. House of Caiaphas 14. Upper Room Faith Lesson from Jerusalem 1. Jerusalem has played a key role as the center of God’s dwelling place and ministry on this earth. 2. It will be the place Christ returns to in power and great glory at the end of the Great Tribulation Period. Believers will return with Him at this event. Will you come with Him in glory, or be judged by Him when He comes? 3. Christ will reign in Jerusalem over all the earth during the Millennial Reign. Will you be among those who reign with Him? 4. There will be a New Jerusalem created by God, which will be His new eternal dwelling place on the new earth. Those who are followers of Christ will have the privilege of living in or visiting this new city forever. Are you saved, and will you be in heaven where the New Jerusalem will be?

The history of the Walls and gates of Jerusalem plays a key role in understanding all God has done throughout its history. See each time period with maps, videos, talks, descriptions, and more. History of Jerusalem's Walls Photo Gallery Places of Interest History of the Walls of Jerusalem The First Walls Were Built by the Canaanites Long before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the Jebusites lived securely within the walls of Jerusalem. The city was blessed with natural valleys around it that made it easy to defend. The city walls and its fortress provided additional protection. David Conquered the Jebusite City and Enlarged the City Walls God was with David and allowed him to capture Jerusalem from the Jebusites. Later, he built stronger and additional walls to fortify the city, and it would become known as the City of David. 2 Samuel 5:6–10: And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. 8 And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack ‘the lame and the blind,’ who are hated by David's soul.” Therefore, it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” 9 And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. 10 And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him. Solomon Added to the Walls of the City After David died, Solomon built the Temple Mount Platform on Mt. Moriah upon the threshing floor of Araunah (Ornan). Then he erected the temple upon it and added walls from the City of David to encompass the Temple Mount and temple. Hezekiah’s Broad Wall Expansion of the Western Hill In 701 BC, the Assyrians, headed by Sennacherib invaded Judah, the Southern Kingdom of Israel, because of their disobedience to God. According to an Assyrian stele found in the ruins of the royal palace of Nineveh, Sennacherib conquered 46 cities in Judea prior to attempting to conquer Jerusalem. God allowed most of Judah to be conquered but protected Jerusalem because of Hezekiah’s obedience to Him. As Hezekiah began to prepare for what he knew would be a terrible siege by a merciless Assyrian war machine, he had to figure out how to protect his people. This meant building new defenses. In 736 BC, the Assyrians began conquering the northern part of Israel. As a result, many Jews fled to Jerusalem as refugees and settled on the western side of the City of David. Therefore, Jerusalem’s urban population had grown far outside the old walls of the city and were unprotected. King Hezekiah fortified the existing walls of the city and built a new wall in a rapid manner to protect those living outside the city walls. This would later be called "Hezekiah's Broad Wall." 2 Chronicles 32:5: He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance. Hezekiah’s new wall measured about 22 feet wide (7 m.) by 25 feet high (8 m.). It was a massive undertaking and measured around 2.5 miles (4 km.) in length. A portion of the wall was discovered in the 1970s by Israeli archaeologist Nahman Avigad and dated to the reign of King Hezekiah (716–687 BC). It was called “Hezekiah’s Broad Wall” by archaeologists because of its width. Hezekiah also built a water tunnel in order to keep the water from the Gihon Spring inside the city walls so the Assyrians couldn’t cut off the water supply (2 Chron. 32:3–4). The curving tunnel is 583 yards (533 m.) long and has a fall of 12 inches (30 cm.) between its two ends. It was chiseled from both ends to the middle at the same time. It took the water from the Gihon Spring under the mountain to the Pool of Siloam below the city. Today, this water tunnel is known as Hezekiah’s Tunnel. Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls When the Babylonians conquered and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, they also destroyed the walls and burned the gates with fire. However, God sovereignly moved in the hearts of Cyrus and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia, to allow Nehemiah to rebuild the walls. Under his leadership and with a small Jewish population, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt to dimensions similar to Solomon’s day. Nehemiah 1:1–3: Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire." The rebuilding and repair of the wall was a miracle. Nehemiah 6:15–16: So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. Hasmonean Wall Addition The Jews gained their independence from the Seleucid Empire in 164 BC, led by the Maccabees and Hasmoneans. During this time, known as the Hasmonean period (164–63 BC), Jerusalem was rebuilt along with its walls. It was built to dimensions similar to King Hezekiah’s time. King Herod Addition ~ Jerusalem of Jesus’ Day In 19 BC, the master-builder, King Herod the Great, began his life's most ambitious building project. He undertook the rebuilding of the temple and the Temple Mount on a massive scale. He took the expansion of the Hasmonean Temple Mount and extended it on three sides, to the north, west, and south. This expansion also included some additional wall construction on the north side of the city walls. The archaeology of the Temple Mount today confirms this enlargement. It would be this city layout that would exist during the time of Christ. Agrippa I Wall Addition According to the Jewish historian Josephus, K ing Agrippa I (41–44 AD) began the construction of a third city wall of Jerusalem to protect a new quarter that grew north beyond the first and second city walls. Agrippa stopped work on the wall after only laying the foundation out of fear that Roman emperor Claudius would suspect he was planning a revolt. Jewish rebels later completed this wall in haste leading up to the First Jewish Revolt (66–70 AD). This would be the largest area the city walls would encompass. The City Walls Today In the 16th century, Suleiman decided to rebuild the city walls on much of the remains of the ancient walls that already existed. However, much of the southern part of the city walls were omitted in the new construction. They were completed in 1538 and are the walls that exist today.

Amazing archaeological evidence that proves the Bible is true. See an overview of all discoveries that have been found here and the amazing things that happened around Jericho! See all the places at Tel Jericho (Tell Es-Sultan). Mount of Temptation, Zacchaeus Tree, St. George's Monastery, Elisha's Spring, King Herod's Palace, Jericho Cable Cars, and more. Jericho claims to be the oldest city in the world that has been continuously inhabited. Its name means “City of Palms.” Jericho ~ Tell Es-Sultan Overview Photo Gallery Places of Interest Jericho ~ Tell Es-Sultan Overview Introduction Welcome to Jericho. Many significant events from the Bible took place here. Here are the highlights. 1. Jericho was the first city the Israelites conquered after crossing the Jordan River. 2. They marched right around this place seven times, and on the last day, the walls fell. 3. Rahab, the prostitute, was from here, and due to her faith, God spared her life and family. 4. There is so much evidence here for this miracle that it's astounding. We'll see how everything in the Bible matches perfectly with the archaeology discovered here. 5. The prophets Elijah and Elisha traversed Jericho often. 6. The miracle of a blind man healed by Jesus occurred in Jericho. 7. Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector, was from Jericho. 8. Amazingly, Tel Jericho, also known as Tel es Sultan, provides some of the most detailed evidence regarding the truthfulness and accuracy of the Old Testament. The evidence is overwhelming. 9. Unfortunately, over the past 70 years, this site has been turned into the number one attack on the Old Testament. So what provides the greatest evidence for the truthfulness of the Old Testament has been turned into the greatest attack on it. 10. However, you can see the evidence for yourself and come to believe that all the evidence here supports the exact details in the biblical account. It will be quite convincing. Location 1. Jericho is in the Jordan Valley about 8 miles (13 km) north of the Dead Sea and about 15 miles (24 km) east of Jerusalem. 2. It’s situated at 900 ft. (275 m.) below sea level, making it the lowest city in the world. 3. Jericho claims to be the oldest city in the world that has been continuously inhabited. 4. Its name means “City of Palms.” 5. It was located at the crossroads of two main travel routes. It had a north-south route that ran through the Jordan Valley, and an east-west route that connected the east side of the Jordan River with Jerusalem, the Samaritan cities, and the coastal plain towns of the Mediterranean Sea. 6. It has a year-round climate with lots of sun. 7. Tel Jericho is also known today as Tell Es-Sultan. Historical Background 1. Jericho was a well-fortified Canaanite city before the arrival of the Israelites. 2. It’s an ancient city with about six thousand years of history. 3. Archaeologists have uncovered 23 levels of civilization in Tel Jericho. 4. The city was fortified with double walls. 5. Jericho was given by Marc Antony (Roman general under Julius Caesar) to Cleopatra (Pharaoh of Egypt) as a wedding gift in 36 BC. 6. King Herod built a winter palace in Jericho around 20 BC and would later die there as well. 7. During the Byzantine period, homes and churches were built in the area. 8. During the Crusader period, the town was moved about a mile (1.6 km) southeast of Tel Jericho. Conflict Regarding the Dating of When the Walls Fell Down In some brochures about this site, it says the following: "The town was deserted in the late Bronze Age (14th century BC), and the city wall of Jericho (famous for Joshua's invasion) was not found by archaeologists, thus indicating a contradiction between the biblical narrative and the archaeological evidence ." So, in other words, when the Bible says Joshua conquered Jericho, they claim it was already destroyed and deserted around 150 years before Joshua, thus making the biblical account wrong. 1. There have been four significant excavations carried out here: Ernst Sellin & Carl Watzinger: 1907 - 1911 John Garstang: 1930-1936 Kathleen Kenyon: 1952 - 1958 (site in the hands of Jordan) Lorenzo Nigro: 1997-2000 & 2009 to present 2. All agree on the following: This is ancient Jericho The upper brick walls fell outward There is a massive burn layer throughout the tel at the same level Full jars of burnt barley are found throughout the tel There is an abandonment layer throughout the tel Israelite occupation layer throughout the tell 3. What they don't agree upon is the date of the destruction: Ernst Sellin & Carl Watzinger (1907-1911) and John Garstang (1930-1936) all stated that the destruction occurred in 1406, the exact time the Israelites arrived. Kathleen Kenyon said the walls fell 150 years before the Israelites arrived, so there is no connection between them and Jericho. Thus, stating that there is a contradiction between the Bible and archaeology. Lorenzo Nigro: 1997-2000 & 2009 to present, follows Kenyon's claims and promotes the information in brochures, videos, etc. 4. So, what is, in reality, a monumental discovery supporting the Bible has been turned into a discovery claiming the Bible isn't true. 5. We'll be looking at the evidence here showing you that the Bible is indeed true. What caused this change? 1. Between Ernst Sellin & Carl Watzinger's (1907-1911) and John Garstang's (1930-1936) excavations, Israel became a state. 2. During Kathleen Kenyon's excavations, Jericho was under Jordanian rule. It appears the motive was to erase any connection the Israelis had with their past and the conquest of Jericho. 3. Kathleen Kenyon placed the destruction of Jericho at around 1550 BC, around 150 years before the Israelites arrived. She used carbon dating as part of her reasoning. However, this can be off by more than 100 years and is not very precise. She also used the absence of Cypress pottery, which she felt should have been there. However, imitation pieces of this kind of pottery were found. Additionally, she only excavated a small portion of Jericho. To base decisions on the absence of something is poor archaeology. Dr. Bryant Wood (1987) analyzed all the pottery discovered at Jericho and dated it to 1406, the exact year the Israelites conquered Jericho. Places of Interest Around Jericho 1. Tel Jericho 2. Mount of Temptation Monastery 3. Jericho Cable Cars (access to Mount of Temptation Monastery) 4. Hisham’s Palace (8th-century Muslim Palace) 5. Modern Jericho 6. Shittim (where the Israelites camped on the east side of the Jordan River before entering the Promised Land) 7. Camp Gilgal (place where the Israelites camped after entering the Promised Land) 8. Zacchaeus Tree 9. Herod’s Palace 10. St. George’s Monastery (hanging monastery with Cave of Elijah) 11. Baptismal Site of Jesus 12. Jordan River 13. Dead Sea Places of Interest at Tel Jericho 1. Elisha’s Spring (tourist viewing place) 2. Tower 3. Walls 4. Ancient Homes 5. Burn & Ash Layers 6. Palace 7. Building 8. Neolithic Tower 9. Byzantine Homes 10. Walls 11. Preserved Wall and Homes (this area is likely where Rahab lived, as it was spared in the destruction by the Lord) 12. Elisha’s Spring (primary source) Archaeological Evidence at Tel Jericho that Proves the Bible is True Eight key pieces of archaeological evidence prove that this site was Jericho and that its walls fell in 1406 BC. 1. Retaining Walls The walls were constructed of large stones at the base and mud bricks continuing upwards. The exterior wall’s stone base was about 15 feet (5 m) high, and the mud-brick wall on top of it was another 25 feet (8 m) tall, for a total of around 40 feet (13 m). The inner wall was constructed in the same way, only it rose even higher than the exterior wall, for a total height of around 50 feet (15 m). The walls were around 8 ft (2.5 m) wide, and people lived between them. Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall (Josh. 2:15). These double walls were enormous and overwhelming in size and strength. During this time period, cities were smaller with taller double walls. This was due to the huge battering rams that were made. The double walls had earth between them to absorb the battering rams' blows. The retaining walls can still be seen today. 2. Fallen Mud-Brick Walls Joshua 6:20–22: So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city , every man straight before him, and they captured the city. The Hebrew meaning for 'the wall fell flat' is that it fell outward beneath itself . This is precisely what archaeology reveals. When the walls of Jericho were first uncovered, large quantities of fallen red bricks were visible. However, many of the bricks were removed so the lower layers of excavation could be seen. Nonetheless, the archaeological reports clearly reveal that these red mud bricks were discovered and existed. What was discovered beneath the fallen red bricks were the remains of houses (built in the same red-brick style) from earlier periods, before cities became smaller and taller to withstand the new battering-ram technology. The square shapes of these houses are still visible today. 3. Burn Layer Scripture says that the Israelites burned Jericho with fire after they conquered it. And they burned the city with fire , and everything in it ( Joshua 6:24). A burn layer is clearly visible today throughout the Tel, in ashes and blackened layers. This is most evident in the cut-out section as you walk up the stairs of the Tel, and in its upper part. 4. Area where the burnt full Jars of barley were found. Unfortunately, this evidence has been covered back over by the current excavation team in charge of the site. This has been done intentionally for political reasons to erase any connection between the Bible and the evidence. Because Tel Jericho is in the West Bank, it is under the control of Arabs, who are mainly against the Bible and Jewish history. The burnt clay jars of barley indicate that the battle was brief, as the Bible states . The archaeology at this site confirms this. The battle took place in the Spring during the barley harvest, just as the Bible states. Joshua 5:10: While the people of Israel were encamped at Gilgal, they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho. The fact that the jars were full reveals that the battle was short; otherwise, they would have been eaten over time. Also, Israel was prohibited by God from taking spoils in Jericho, unlike other conquering armies normally did. Joshua 6:18: But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction , lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. 5. Preserved section of the wall where Rahab likely lived. On the east side of the Tel is a preserved section of the wall, suggesting this was the area where Rahab lived, as it was not entirely destroyed. 6. Discovered abandonment layer throughout the Tel due to Joshua's curse on Jericho. Joshua cursed Jericho, and it lay abandoned for many centuries. This formed an abandonment layer that is still visible today. Then Joshua made them take an oath at that time, saying, “Cursed before the Lord is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his firstborn he will lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he will set up its gates” ( Joshua 6:26). 7. Jericho was rebuilt by the Israelites during the time of King Ahab, according to Joshua's prophecy. This confirms that Tel Jericho lay abandoned for quite some time until it was rebuilt: In his days Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho ; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn , and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub , in accordance with the word of the Lord, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun (1 Kings 16:34). 8. Israelite occupation layer. After Jericho was rebuilt, the Israelites inhabited the city. This is confirmed by an Israelite layer found at the Tel today. 9. What can be seen today at Tel Jericho matches perfectly with the Biblical account of what happened. This is amazing and is just one more piece of evidence that the Bible is true and trustworthy. Jericho in the Bible 1. Rahab, the prostitute, who hid the Israelite Spies, was from Jericho. Joshua 2:1: And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho ." And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. Joshua 2:8–15: Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. 11 And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. 12 Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father's house, and give me a sure sign 13 that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” 15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall . 2. The Children of Israel crossed the Jordan River near Jericho. Joshua 3:14–16: So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 16 the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho . 3. The Israelites camped at Gilgal after entering the Promised Land. Joshua 4:19: The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho . 4. The Israelites celebrated the Passover after crossing the Jordan River. Joshua 5:10: While the sons of Israel camped at Gilgal, they celebrated the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month on the desert plains of Jericho. 5. Jericho was the first city captured by the Israelites when they entered the Promised Land. Joshua 6:1–5: Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. 2 And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. 3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. 4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up , everyone straight before him.” Joshua 6:15–16: On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. 16 And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city." 6. The mud-brick walls of Jericho fell flat (beneath themselves) and formed a ramp. Joshua 6:20–22: So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat [Hebrew meaning: fell beneath themselves outward] so that the people went up into the city , every man straight before him, and they captured the city. 21 Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword. 22 But to the two men who had spied out the land, Joshua said, “Go into the prostitute's house and bring out from there the woman and all who belong to her, as you swore to her.” 7. Joshua burned the city of Jericho with fire. A burn layer found throughout the tel confirms this. Joshua 6:24: And they burned the city with fire , and everything in it. 8. Joshua cursed Jericho, and it lay abandoned for many centuries. This formed an abandonment layer that can be seen today Joshua 6:26: Then Joshua made them take an oath at that time, saying, “Cursed before the Lord is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his firstborn he will lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he will set up its gates.” 9. Jericho was rebuilt during the time of King Ahab around 875 BC. 1 Kings 16:34: In his days Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the Lord, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun. 10. The prophets, Elijah and Elisha, traversed Jericho often. 2 Kings 2:4: Elijah said to him, "Elisha, please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho ." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho . 11. Elisha healed the water source of Jericho. 2 Kings 2:19–22: Now the men of the city said to Elisha, "Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful." 20 He said, "Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it." So they brought it to him. 21 Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, "Thus says the LORD, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it." 22 So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke. 12. The miracle of a blind man healed by Jesus occurred in Jericho. Luke 18:35–43: As he [Jesus] drew near to Jericho , a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. 13. Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector, was from Jericho. Luke 19: 1–10: He [Jesus] entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold." 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." 14. The famous story of the Good Samaritan happened on the route from Jericho to Jerusalem (Luke 10:25–37). Faith Lesson from Jericho 1. The first lesson we can learn is that the Bible is true, and we can fully trust it. Jericho provides overwhelming evidence that the events described in the Bible are corroborated by the site's archaeology. Therefore, we can fully trust the Bible as the very word of God, inspired and living. 2. The crumbling of the walls of Jericho by the shout of the Israelites proves to be one of the greatest miracles in the Bible. Do we believe God can crumble the obstacles in our lives today as well? 3. Rahab was a sinner who chose to fear the Lord and turn to Him. She was welcomed into the Jewish faith and became part of the lineage of Christ, along with Ruth, the Moabitess. Matthew 1:5–6: And Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab , and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth , and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king. Amazingly, in the genealogy of Christ, two generations in a row include foreign women who were saved by grace through faith and welcomed into the Jewish faith. 4. The lives of Rahab and Ruth illustrate that salvation has always been and always will be open to anyone willing to listen to God’s call of salvation. 5. Jesus healed a blind man in Jericho because of his persevering faith. What about us? What kind of faith do we have in Christ? Do we give up easily, or do we persevere? 6. Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector, was another outsider who was willing to embrace Christ’s love and offer of salvation. Jericho resounds with examples of outsiders who were rejected by others but sought out by God. Do we believe God loves outsiders today, and do we welcome them into our lives and churches?

Masada was used by David, Herod the Great fortified it. Then see the sober reality of how 967 Jewish Zealots chose to commit suicide rather than surrender to the Romans in 73 AD. On May 3, 74 AD, after 7 months or so of long battled weariness, the Romans entered the top of Masada and stood in awe-stricken silence as they beheld the mass suicide of the Jews before them. The Zealots chose to die by suicide rather than be conquered by the Romans to be abused or killed. Masada Photo Gallery Places of Interest Masada Introduction Welcome to Masada. Many events from the Bible and history took place here. Here are some of the highlights. 1. After a confrontation between King Saul and David close to En Gedi, David likely hid out on top of Masada afterward. 2. Masada was one of three fortified fortresses King Herod built for pleasure purposes and to protect his territories. He built Masada in about 24 BC. 3. In 73 AD, a total of 967 Jews, counting their families, had assembled at Masada. They were under the command of Eleazar Ben-Yair, a Jewish Zealot Freedom Fighter. 4. In 73 AD, the 10th Roman Army Legion, totaling around 8 ,000 soldiers and 6,000 Jewish slaves under a commander named Silva, arrived at the base of Masada. 5. Masada was the last stronghold of the Israelites, and the Romans amassed their troops there in the fall of 73 AD. 6. It would be here that this Jewish community chose to commit mass suicide rather than surrender to the Romans. 7. It's a tragic story we'll see as we explore this site. Location 1. Masada is located at the Dead Sea's southern end, about 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Jerusalem. 2. It's a natural flat mountain that rises from the valley floor some 1,000 ft. (305 m). It's like a huge column with sheer cliffs on every side, making it virtually unreachable. 3. Many believe ancient Gomorrah lies at the base of Masada, and ancient Sodom is about 14 miles (23 km) south of Masada. 4. The base of Masada is in a desert region, about 1,000 ft. (305 m.) below sea level. 5. The word Masada means fortress. Historical Background 1. Masada is a natural fortress most likely used throughout the area's history. 2. David likely used it when fleeing from King Saul. 3. Masada first became a Jewish fortress under the Hasmoneans around 150–76 BC. 4. Later, King Herod upgraded Masada’s defenses (37–31 BC. 5. Masada was one of three fortified fortresses King Herod built for pleasure purposes and to protect his territories. It had double walls 20 feet (6 m) high surrounding the edge, with many lookout and defensive towers along the walls. 6. Masada was fortified with elaborate water cisterns fed by diverting water from the nearby mountains. It even had swimming pools and many of the luxuries of the time. 7. Besides ample water storage, Masada had 15 food storehouses for 10,000 people for 10 years. 8. In 66 BC, events began to unfold in Israel that caused the Jews to rebel against Roman rule. This revolt began in Caesarea Maritima. 9. In 66-70 AD, when the nation was in revolt, Jewish Zealots and a group called the Sicarii fled from Jerusalem and the surrounding areas and took the fortress of Masada from Roman occupation. They were national Freedom Fighters who opposed Roman rule. In their conquest, they gained possession of all the food and water stored in Masada. 10. Between 66 and 70 AD, Rome conquered all the northern cities of Israel. 11. In 70 AD, under the command of Titus, the Romans totally destroyed Jerusalem in a bloody battle that lasted well over 4 months. Josephus (Jewish Historian) claims that 1.1 million Jews lost their lives in this battle, and another 97,000 were captured and enslaved. The siege also leveled the temple. 12. In 73 AD, a total of 967 Jews, counting their families, had assembled at Masada. They were under the command of Eleazar Ben-Yair, a Jewish Zealot Freedom Fighter. 13. After conquering Jerusalem and most of Israel, the Romans headed south to conquer the southern strongholds around the Dead Sea region and Masada. 14. Masada was the last Israelite stronghold that existed in the land, and the Romans amassed their troops there in the fall of 73 AD. 15. We'll tell the rest of the story as we walk and see this site. Places of Interest 1. Model of Masada Cable car access up to the top. Snake path access up to the top. Roman forts and walls. Roman fort headquarters. Siege Ramp Southern Palace Northern Palace Synogogue Lot Casting Room Bathhouse Storerooms (enough food for 10,000 people for 10 years) 2. Tram to the top of Masada Rise of around 1000 ft (300 m). 3. View from the tram ramp below. Roman Forts Roman Walls Gomorrah Dead Sea 4. Herod's Southern Palace 5. Byzantine Church 6. Roman Siege Ramp ~ Fall of Masada In 66 BC, events in Israel began to unfold, leading the Jews to rebel against Roman rule. This revolt began in Caesarea Maritima. In 66-70 AD, during the revolt, Jewish Zealots and a group called the Sicarii fled from Jerusalem and the surrounding areas and took the fortress of Masada from Roman occupation. They were national Freedom Fighters who opposed Roman rule. In their conquest, they gained possession of all the food and water stored in Masada. Between 66 and 70 AD, Rome conquered all the northern cities of Israel. In 70 AD, under the command of Titus, the Romans totally destroyed Jerusalem in a bloody battle that lasted well over 4 months. Josephus (Jewish Historian) claims that 1.1 million Jews lost their lives in this battle, and another 97,000 were captured and enslaved. The siege also leveled the temple. In 73 AD, a total of 967 Jews, counting their families, had assembled at Masada. They were under the command of Eleazar Ben-Yair, a Jewish Zealot Freedom Fighter. After conquering Jerusalem and most of Israel, the Romans headed south to conquer the southern strongholds around the Dead Sea region and Masada. Masada was the last Israelite stronghold in the land, and the Romans amassed troops there in the fall of 73 AD. In 73 AD, the 10th Roman Army Legion, totaling around 8 ,000 soldiers and 6,000 Jewish slaves under a commander named Silva, arrived at the base of Masada. This Roman legion first built a wall around the base of Masada, much of it using Jewish slave labor. Next, they built eight camps around the mountain's base. The remains of most of these camps are still visible today. Silva set up his headquarters at the northwest camp. After several months of unsuccessful engagement with the Jewish Zealots atop Masada, the Romans decided to build a massive siege ramp out of dirt on the west side of Masada, using Israelite slave labor to help in the process. As the siege ramp grew closer to the top of Masada, the Romans primarily used Jewish slave labor so that their fellow Jews on Masada wouldn’t shoot arrows and throw spears at their countrymen. After several months of building the siege ramp, the Romans finally reached the top of Masada and severely damaged the exterior wall. When the Jewish Zealots realized they were in grave danger of being conquered, they built another interior wall inside the exterior wall using wood beams from many of their buildings. They layered the beams with earth in between to fortify the new wall. The Romans set this inner wall on fire and were poised to enter. However, this happened late at night, so the Romans decided to wait until the next morning to attack. Realizing the Jews would be conquered the next morning, Eleazar Ben-Yair, the commander of the Zealots, gave an impassioned speech about how God had not created them to be slaves and about what would happen to them if they surrendered to the Romans. We'll pick up the story at the synagogue, where it's believed the men met to discuss the matter. 7. Synagogue ~ Passionate Speech by Eleazar Ben-Yair Realizing the Jews would be conquered the next morning, Eleazar Ben-Yair, the commander of the Zealots, gave an impassioned speech about how God had not created them to be slaves and about what would happen to them if they surrendered to the Romans. This is what he proposed: The Romans are angry after the long battle and will kill most of us by torture. Those who are not killed will be mistreated and forced to be slaves. Our women will be raped before our eyes and violated, and our children will be tortured and forced to be slaves as well. The only option we have as free people is to take our own lives. In the synagogue, the men gathered for a special meeting and drew lots, picking out ten courageous men who knew about killing and understood how to die. Then, every father went home and killed their wives and children. Then, all the men gathered again together, and 10 of these men in the group killed the remaining men. Then one man killed the other 9, and then the last man killed himself. We'll end the story at the Casting of the Lots Room. 8. Viewing Area atop the Bathhouse 9. Casting of the Lots Room ~ Final Account of the Mass Suicide At the synagogue we just visited. Eleazar Ben-Yair, the commander of the Zealots, realizing the Jews would be conquered the next morning, gave an impassioned speech about how God had not created them to be slaves and about what would happen to them if they surrendered to the Romans. This is what he proposed: The Romans are angry after the long battle and will kill most of us by torture. Those who are not killed will be mistreated and forced to be slaves. Our women will be raped before our eyes and violated, and our children will be tortured and forced to be slaves as well. The only option we have as free people is to take our own lives. In the synagogue, the men gathered for a special meeting and drew lots, picking out ten courageous men who knew about killing and understood how to die. Then, every father went home and killed their wives and children. Then, all the men gathered again together, and 10 of these men in the group killed the remaining men. Then one man killed the other 9, and then the last man killed himself. The Jewish Zealots destroyed everything but the food supply to ensure the Romans knew they hadn’t run out of supplies. They had chosen death over Roman enslavement. On May 3, 74 AD, after 7 months or so of long, battle-weary siege, the Romans entered the top of Masada and stood in awe-stricken silence as they beheld the mass suicide of the Jews before them. The Zealots chose to die by suicide rather than be conquered by the Romans, to be abused or killed. The Jewish historian Josephus says 960 men, women, and children died at Masada. Only two women and five children, who hid in a subterranean cavern, survived to tell the story. 10. Northern Palaces 11. Store Rooms 12. Herod Bath House Masada in the Bible 1. After a confrontation between King Saul and David close to En Gedi, David likely hid out on top of Masada afterward. 1 Samuel 24:22: And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold [fortress]. 2. Because Israel rejected Christ as their Messiah, Christ foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel. This destruction occurred between 66 and 70 AD. Luke 19:41–44: And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation . 3. Zechariah prophesied about Jerusalem’s destruction as well. Zechariah 14:1–2: Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Faith Lesson from Masada 1. While we don’t endorse or believe the Jewish Zealots should have committed suicide, as it’s only God’s place to take a person’s life, we do understand these Zealots' decision. 2. While some of the Zealots may have believed in Christ and were devoted servants to God, the Jewish nation as a whole and its leaders had largely rejected Christ as their Messiah. As a result, Christ spoke judgment upon the nation in Luke 19:41–44. 3. Almost every instance in which a country falls is due mainly to the decisions of its leaders. 4. The sad reality is that the righteous always suffer at the hands of the wicked. 5. Today, it’s the same; while there may be many righteous people in a country, God will still judge it because of the sinful and immoral decisions its leaders and the majority of the people make. 6. Israel didn’t return to being a nation until 1948, and this was due to God’s sovereign plan for them. God prophesied that He would bring them back again, and it’s a miracle that after almost 2,000 years, this has been fulfilled. This is unheard of in the history of any civilization. 7. However, the price Israel paid for their rejection of Christ cost them dearly and should be a warning to us today as well.

Learn about Ashkelon and the 5 cities of the Philistines. What all happened in Ashdod? What is its history? Who were the Philistines, where did they come from, and where did they live? They are mentioned in many places in the Old Testament and were the enemies of the Israelites. The Other Cities Were: Ashdod, Ekron, Gaza, & Gath. Biblical Ashkelon Photo Gallery Places of Interest Ashkelon Location 1. Ashkelon is located just south of Ashdod. It also is on the Mediterranean Ocean and was one of the five cities of the Philistines. Historical Background 1. South of the modern city of Ashkelon is a large National park with ruins of the ancient city. It has a history of 4,000 years and was a port city located on the main trade route from Egypt to the North. It started as a huge fortified Canaanite city and continued as a Philistine city, turning into a thriving commercial center and independent city during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. 2. The origin of the name Ashkelon appears to come from the word “shekel,” denoting a measure of weight – a fitting name for a commercial port city. 3. The specific name Ashkelon is mentioned in the Egyptian execration texts of the 19th century BC, and it appears again in other, later Egyptian inscriptions. 4. Ashkelon has the world's oldest Canaanite Gate in the world which dates back to almost 4000 years ago. 5. Ashkelon also played a part in the battle against the Assyrians. Zedaka, the ruler of Ashkelon, joined the rebellion of Hezekiah, king of Judah (701 BCE). In response, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, took over the city and replaced the treacherous ruler with one of his subjects. 6. The city changed hands many times after that, as Greeks and Maccabees and Romans and Muslims and Crusaders all had their turn. Some think that Herod the Great was born in Ashkelon; the fact is that he did build a palace and aqueduct there. 7. The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, who came to the city later, was less merciful. In 604 BC, he deported Aga, the last Philistine king of Ashkelon, and razed the city to the ground. 8. During the Persian period, Ashkelon was a prosperous commercial city under the auspices of the port cities of Tyre and Sidon. 9. It was used as a border fortress by the Crusaders from around 1100-1191 AD. However, Saladin destroyed the Ashkelon fortress in AD 1191 (during the end of the Crusader Period). As a result, the city lay in ruins for a century. This basically ended its history. 10. After this time, a town was built by Arabs near the original site of Ashkelon and called Al-Majdal. 11. Today, a large national park beautifully preserves the history of ancient Ashkelon. It's well worth a visit if you have a chance to see it. Places of Interest 1. The Canaanite Gate 2. The Rampart 3. Medieval Walls 4. The Roman Basilica 5. St. Mary Viridis Church 6. Wells: Within the national park, there are 67 wells, the majority of them from the Byzantine period. 7. Natural sand dunes and landscapes. Ashkelon in the Bible 1. Joshua and the Israelites conquered Ashkelon in the conquest of the Promised Land (Josh. 13:3), and it was allotted to Judah, who then occupied it (Judg. 1:18). 2. One of the golden tumors (emerods) that was returned with the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines was from Ashkelon. 1 Samuel 6:17: Now these are the gold tumors which the Philistines returned as a guilt offering to the Lord: one for Ashdod , one for Gaza , one for Ashkelon , one for Gath , and one for Ekron . 3. Askelon is mentioned by David when, after Saul and Jonathan die, he lamented and mourned over them. 2 Samuel 1:19-20: Your beauty, Israel, is slaughtered on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon , or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate. 4. Ashkelon was also denounced by Jeremiah (Jer. 25:20, 47:5–7), Zephaniah (2:4–7), and Zechariah (9:5). Faith Lesson from Ashkelon 1. God used the Philistines to punish the Israelites because they turned away from Him and followed false gods. In the same way, God often uses people in our lives to get us back on track with the Lord when we stray. 2. God judged the city of Ashkelon and held them accountable for their sins. In the same way, God will hold those who reject Him accountable today as well. We will all stand before God and give an account for our lives. 3. What about us? Are we right with God and letting our lights shine to a world that needs God and His salvation through Jesus Christ?

The great showdown between the Prophet and the prophets of Baal and Asherah is one of the greatest miracles in the Bible. Understand the details of this monumental event and learn lessons of faith that you can apply to your own life from this great miracle. Mount Carmel was a High Place of worship to the false god of Baal and Asherah during the period of Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings. It has a spectacular view of the Jezreel Valley, which is also known as the Valley of Armageddon. Mt. Carmel: Elijah and the False Prophets Photo Gallery Places of Interest Mount Carmel Introduction Welcome to Mount Carmel. This is where the huge showdown between Elijah and the 850 false prophets of Baal and Asherah happened. This place was one of the most important high places of worship, so it would only be fitting for this monumental event to happen here. Just imagine thousands and thousands of Israelites gathered here to see this event. The showdown was to determine who the true and living God was. Was it Baal, Asherah, or the true and living God? God sent fire down from heaven right here to settle this matter. The event that happened here is earth-shattering. Location 1. The place marking the great showdown between Elijah and the false prophets is known as Deir Al-Mukhraqa Carmelite Monastery. 2. Mount Carmel is located about 9 miles (15 km.) east of the Mediterranean Sea in the Carmel Mountain Range, which is in the northern part of Israel. It’s also about 28 miles (44 km.) southwest of the Sea of Galilee. 3. Mount Carmel was a High Place of worship to the false god of Baal and Asherah during the period of Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings. 4. It has a spectacular view of the Jezreel Valley, which is also known as the Valley of Armageddon. Armageddon is where part of the last battle on earth takes place at the end of the Great Tribulation Period. 5. From Mount Carmel, Nazareth, and Cana can be seen to the northeast. Historical Background 1. The great showdown between the Prophet Elijah and the 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah began around 100 years earlier when King Solomon sowed the seeds that would destroy Israel morally. 2. Against God’s clear commandments to the Israelites, Solomon married many foreign wives. 3. These foreign wives worshipped false gods, and to honor them, Solomon built high places of worship all over Israel where these false gods could be worshipped. 1 Kings 11 recounts this tragic reality. 4. As a result, the worship of false gods became rampant in the land. 5. Because of the worship of false gods, God pronounced judgment on the nation of Israel, and it was divided into two kingdoms after Solomon’s death. 6. Rehoboam, one of Solomon’s sons, took the Southern Kingdom of Judah, which consisted of 2 tribes, and Jeroboam, one of Solomon’s officials, took the Northern Kingdom, which consisted of 10 tribes. 7. Because Jeroboam was afraid many of his people would defect to Rehoboam’s kingdom by going to Jerusalem to worship God in the temple there, he introduced false gods into the northern tribes of Israel. 8. Jeroboam erected two golden calf altars at Bethel and Dan for his people to worship instead of going to the temple in Jerusalem. He told his people that these golden calves were the gods who led them out of Egypt. 9. Several kings later, King Ahab, king of the Northern Kingdom, married a foreign wife named Jezebel. Jezebel worshipped the false gods of Baal (a male god) and Asherah (a female god). Jezebel promoted the worship of these false gods by employing countless prophets of Baal and Asherah. She even supported them financially and fed them at her royal table. 10. Mt. Carmel was one of the key high places in Israel where the people worshiped Baal and Asherah. 12. Baal and Asherah were the gods of the weather. For this reason, God sent a drought and then later rain. By doing so, He showed He was the true God of the weather and everything else. Baal worship was originally from the Canaanite nations God drove out because of their extreme wickedness. Places of Interest (Please See Maps Above) 1. Mt. Carmel 2. Kishon Stream 3. Jezreel Valley 4. Tel Jezreel 5. Mediterranean Sea 6. Megiddo 7. Nazareth Mount Carmel in the Bible 1. The showdown between Elijah and the false prophets took place during the reign of Ahab, King of Israel. 1 Kings 16:29-33” In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. 2. Because of Ahab’s great sin, God caused a severe drought all over the land. 1 Kings 17:1: Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word. 3. After these 3 years had ended, Elijah confronts Ahab and promises God will send rain. Kings 18:1–2: After many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, "Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth." 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. 1 Kings 18:17–19: When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father's house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. 19 Now, therefore, send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.” 4. The great gathering of all the people. 1 Kings 18:20–21: So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 5. The great contest between Elijah and the 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah. 1 Kings 18:22–24: Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. 24 And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” 6. The false prophets of Baal and Asherah go first. 1 Kings 18:25–29: Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” 26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. 27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation [evening sacrifice], but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention. 7. Elijah takes his turn. 1 Kings 18:30–35: Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” 32 and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs [about 1 foot deep by 1 foot wide] of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” 34 And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. 35 And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water. 8. God miraculously answers. 1 Kings 18:36–39: And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” 9. Elijah then slaughters the false prophets below the hill right here in the Kishon Stream. 1 Kings 18:40: And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there. 10. Afterward, God sent a massive rainstorm, which caused a deluge of rain to Israel and ended the drought. 1 Kings 18:41–46: And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. 44 And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” 45 And in a little while, the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. 46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. Jezreel is about 15 miles (24 km.) directly east of Mount Carmel. 11. Unfortunately, this great miracle and spiritual revival didn’t last long. Soon afterward, the country fell back into worshipping false gods and idols. Faith Lesson from Mt. Carmel 1. Do we fall away easily from the Lord and neglect Him? 2. Does spiritual revival in our lives rapidly fade? 3. Are we undisciplined in our time with God and fail to read His Word and grow in Him? 4. Have we witnessed miracles in our lives where we know that God is real and that He has shown Himself powerful to us? 5. After seeing miracles and experiencing God’s help, do we forget and fall away from God afterward? 6. Are we steadfast in our relationship with God, or are we like the Israelites who were unstable with big ups and downs? 7. Are we in need of coming back to God today and getting right with Him once again?

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Experience one of the greatest miracles in the Bible about how God saved Hezekiah and the city of Jerusalem. Sennacherib, King of Assyria, was defeated supernaturally by God because an angel of the Lord killed 185,000 soldiers. Because of King Hezekiah's great faith in the Lord, God provided an astounding miracle to save him and Jerusalem. Learn all about it here. Hezekiah’s Broad Wall, Gihon Spring, Pool of Siloam, Hezekiah's Tunnel, City of David, Temple Mount, Tel Lachish, Tel Azekah. Hezekiah's Broad Wall Photo Gallery Places of Interest Hezekiah's Broad Wall Introduction 1. Hidden within the Jewish Quarter of the Old City lies one of Jerusalem’s most impressive archaeological finds: Hezekiah’s Broad Wall. 2. The events surrounding this wall are so important that they are found in three places in the Bible (2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chronicles 32; and Isaiah 36-37). 3. To protect Jerusalem, God sent an angel who killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. 4. The wall was built around 710 BC by King Hezekiah. It was a massive fortification constructed to protect Jerusalem from the Assyrian army. 5. It's over 23 feet thick (7 m) and hundreds of meters long. It cut through houses and streets to strengthen the city’s defenses. 6. It matches the account in Isaiah and 2 Chronicles describing Hezekiah’s preparations for the Assyrian siege. 7. It was unearthed in the 1970s and revealed how urgently Jerusalem expanded its walls to shield its growing population. 8. Today, visitors can stand beside its remains and imagine the tense days when Jerusalem prepared for war and survival. 9. Let's experience and relive the miracle God did here to protect Jerusalem from the most powerful nation on earth at that time Location 1. Hezekiah’s Broad Wall connected the lower part of the City of David with the west side of the Temple Mount. 2. The part that is visible today is located just north of the Hurva Synagogue, to the left of Bonei ha-Khoma St. Historical Background 1. After the division of the nation of Israel into two kingdoms (Israel and Judah), God sent prophet after prophet to warn them to turn from their sinful ways and follow Him. However, they ignored all these warnings. 2. All the 19 kings who reigned in the northern kingdom of Israel did not follow the Lord and acted wickedly. 3. As a result, the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered and taken into captivity by 722 BC by the Assyrians because of Israel’s continual disobedience. 2 Kings 18:11–12: Then the king of Assyria carried Israel away into exile to Assyria, and put them in Halah and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, 12 because they did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, but transgressed His covenant, even all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded; they would neither listen nor do it. 4. The Assyrian army was brutal and known for its torturous tactics. They intentionally instilled fear in the hearts of those they conquered, causing other countries to surrender rather than fight. 5. By 701 BC, the Assyrians, headed by Sennacherib, invaded Judah, the Southern Kingdom of Israel, because they had disobeyed God repeatedly over centuries. Isaiah 36:1: In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them. 6. According to an Assyrian stele found in the ruins of the royal palace of Nineveh, and the Bible, Sennacherib conquered 46 cities in Judea before attempting to destroy Jerusalem. 7. God allowed most of Judah to be conquered but protected Jerusalem because of Hezekiah’s obedience to Him. 2 Kings 18:5-6: He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him , nor among those who were before him. 6 For he held fast to the Lord. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the Lord commanded Moses. 8. As Hezekiah began to prepare for what he knew would be a terrible siege by a merciless Assyrian war machine, he had to figure out how to protect his people. This meant building new defenses. 9. During the time of Hezekiah, Jerusalem’s urban population had grown far outside the old walls of the city and was unprotected. 10. King Hezekiah fortified the existing walls of the city and rapidly built a new wall to protect those living outside the city walls on the western slope of Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 32:5: He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance. 11. Hezekiah’s new wall measured about 22 ft wide (7 m) by 25 ft high (8 m). 12. It was a massive undertaking and measured around 2.5 miles (4 km) in length. 13. A portion of the wall was discovered in the 1970s by Israeli archaeologist Nahman Avigad and dated to the reign of King Hezekiah (716-687 BC). 14. It was called “Hezekiah’s Broad Wall” by archaeologists because of how wide it is. 15. King Hezekiah also built a water tunnel to keep the water from the Gihon Spring inside the city walls so the Assyrians couldn’t cut off the water supply (2 Chron. 32:3–4). The curving tunnel is 583 yards (533 m) long and rises 12 inches (30 cm) from one end to the other. Workers chiseled it from both ends to the middle simultaneously. It carried water from the Gihon Spring, located under the mountain, to the Pool of Siloam, below the city of David. 16. The last fortified city King Sennacherib conquered before threatening Jerusalem was Lachish. Lachish was a large fortified city just to the south of Jerusalem, and when it fell, many in Jerusalem lost hope they would survive. Places of Interest 1. Hezekiah’s Broad Wall. 2. Gihon Spring 3. Pool of Siloam 4. Hezekiah's Tunnel 5. City of David 6. Temple Mount Hezekiah in the Bible 1 . King Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz, was a wicked king. He closed the doors to the temple and burned his children in sacrificial worship to false gods. 2. King Hezekiah was a godly king who reopened the temple and restored worship to God. 2 Kings 18:3–6: And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. 4 He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan). 5 He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. 6 For he held fast to the Lord. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the Lord commanded Moses. 3. King Hezekiah chose not to serve the King of Assyria. 2 Kings 18:7: And the Lord was with him; wherever he went he prospered. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. 4. Sennacherib, the King of Assyria, conquered the southern part of Judah, including the mighty city of Lachish. King Hezekiah tries to keep him at bay by paying him money. 2 Kings 18:13–16: Now in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and seized them. 14 Then Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong. Withdraw from me; whatever you impose on me I will bear.” So the king of Assyria required of Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. 15 Hezekiah gave him all the silver which was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasuries of the king’s house. 16 At that time Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord, and from the doorposts which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria. 5. King Sennacherib makes plans to conquer Jerusalem. 2 Kings 18:17: Then the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rab-saris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah with a large army to Jerusalem. So they went up and came to Jerusalem. 6. King Sennacherib mocks King Hezekiah and the God of Israel. 2 Kings 18:32–35: And do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying, “The Lord will deliver us .” 33 Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 34 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? 35 Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’” 7. King Hezekiah humbles himself before God and sends for the Prophet Isaiah. 2 Kings 19:1–7: And when King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the Lord. 2 Then he sent Eliakim who was over the household with Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. 3 They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and rejection; for children have come to birth and there is no strength to deliver. 4 Perhaps the Lord your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the Lord your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that is left.’” 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. 7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.” 8. King Sennacherib once again threatens King Hezekiah and speaks against the God of Israel. 2 Kings 19:9–12: So he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying, 10 “Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. 11 Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, devoting them to destruction. And shall you be delivered? 12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, the nations that my fathers destroyed.’” 9. Hezekiah seeks the Lord’s help. 2 Kings 19:14–19: Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15 Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and listen to the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 17 Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands 18 and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. 19 Now, O Lord our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God.” 10. God answers Hezekiah’s prayer. 2 Kings 19:20–22: Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah saying, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Because you have prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.’ 21 This is the word that the Lord has spoken against him: ‘She has despised you and mocked you, The virgin daughter of Zion; She has shaken her head behind you, The daughter of Jerusalem! 22 ‘Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? And against whom have you raised your voice, And haughtily lifted up your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel!’” 2 Kings 19:32–34: Therefore, thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, “He will not come to this city or shoot an arrow there; and he will not come before it with a shield or throw up a siege ramp against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same he will return, and he shall not come to this city, declares the Lord. 34 For I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.” 11. God miraculously destroys King Sennacherib and his army. 2 Kings 19:35–37: Then it happened that night that the angel of the Lord went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men rose early in the morning, behold, all of them were dead. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and returned home, and lived at Nineveh. 37 It came about as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son became king in his place. Faith Lesson from the Life of King Hezekiah 1. King Sennacherib was the most powerful person in the world at that time. He had everything anyone could dream of. He had power, wealth, respect, honor, pleasure, and so forth. However, he didn't have God. Therefore, he had nothing. What about us? Do we realize we can have everything this world offers, but without God, we have nothing? 2. Even though Hezekiah had a wicked father, he chose to serve the Lord. What about us? Do we realize that no matter our background or the parents we have, God can still use us greatly if we yield ourselves entirely to Him? 3. King Hezekiah was extremely dedicated to God. 2 Kings 18:5–6: He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. 6 For he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses. What about us? Do we show the same kind of dedication to God? 4. King Hezekiah trusted in God during times of great trials. What about us? Do we trust God during the trials He sends us? 5. God blessed and protected him because of his faith and dedication to Him. What about us? Do we realize that God will bless us too if we stay faithful to Him? 6. He worked hard to fortify the old walls, built a huge new wall, and protected the water source of the city. All this was good but unnecessary, because God supernaturally protected Jerusalem because Hezekiah trusted the Lord. What about us? Do we realize that we can do everything we can think of to protect ourselves, but it's ultimately God who is in control? 7. King Hezekiah lived the kind of life God blesses. What about us? Are we following his example?

See and experience an engineering wonder that happened over 2700 years ago. In order to save Jerusalem and its inhabitants, King Hezekiah orchestrated a tunnel that took the water from the Gihon Spring underground to the Pool of Siloam. This kept the water inside the city so the Assyrian army couldn't cut off their water supply and conquer them. Hezekiah's Water Tunnel Photo Gallery Places of Interest Hezekiah's Water Tunnel Location 1. Hezekiah's Water Tunnel, also known as the Siloam Tunnel, is a remarkable ancient water tunnel located in the southern part of the City of David in Jerusalem. 2. The City of David is located just south of the Temple Mount and is the original part of Jerusalem that existed before it was expanded over the centuries. 3. Today, Hezekiah's Tunnel is a popular archaeological site and tourist attraction, offering visitors the chance to walk through the ancient waterway. Historical Background 1. It was constructed during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah in around 700 BC. 2. The Bible mentions it in the context of preparations for an impending siege by the Assyrians, led by Sennacherib. 3. The tunnel was designed to transport water from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam, effectively securing the city's water supply during the siege by preventing the Assyrian forces from accessing it. 4. The construction of this tunnel is considered an engineering marvel of its time, as it was hewn from solid rock. It measures approximately 583 yards (533 m.) long and has an altitude difference of 12 inches (30 cm.) between its two ends. 5. The historical significance of Hezekiah's Tunnel is also highlighted by the Siloam Inscription, found at the southern end of the tunnel. This inscription describes how two teams of workers, starting from opposite ends, met in the middle to complete the tunnel. This feat is detailed in the biblical passages of 2 Chronicles 32:2–4 and 2 Kings 20:20. Biblical Background 1. After the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms (Israel and Judah), God sent prophet after prophet to warn them to turn from their sinful ways and follow Him. However, all these warnings fell on deaf ears. 2. All the 19 kings who reigned in the northern kingdom of Israel did not follow the Lord and acted wickedly. 3. As a result, the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered and taken into captivity by 722 BC by the Assyrians because of Israel’s continual disobedience. 2 Kings 18:11–12: Then the king of Assyria carried Israel away into exile to Assyria, and put them in Halah and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, 12 because they did not obey the voice of the Lord their God , but transgressed His covenant, even all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded; they would neither listen nor do it. 4. The Assyrian army was brutal and known for its torturous tactics. They intentionally instilled fear in the hearts of those they conquered to cause other countries to surrender instead of fighting. 5. By 701 BC, the Assyrians, headed by Sennacherib, invaded Judah, the Southern Kingdom of Israel, because they disobeyed God. 6. According to an Assyrian stele found in the ruins of the royal palace of Nineveh, Sennacherib conquered 46 cities in Judea before attempting to conquer Jerusalem. 7. God allowed most of Judah to be conquered but protected Jerusalem because of Hezekiah’s obedience to Him. 8. As Hezekiah began to prepare for what he knew would be a terrible siege by a merciless Assyrian war machine, he had to figure out how to protect his people. This meant building new defenses. 9. During the time of Hezekiah, Jerusalem’s urban population had grown far outside the old walls of the city and were unprotected. 10. King Hezekiah fortified the city's existing walls and built a new wall rapidly to protect those living outside them. 2 Chronicles 32:5: He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance. 11. Hezekiah’s new wall measured about 22 feet wide (7 m.) by 25 feet high (8 m.). 12. It was a massive undertaking and measured around 2.5 miles (4 km.) in length. 13. A portion of the wall was discovered in the 1970s by Israeli archaeologist Nahman Avigad and dated to the reign of King Hezekiah (716-687 BC). 14. Archaeologists called it “Hezekiah’s Broad Wall” because of how wide it is. 15. Additionally, King Hezekiah also built a water tunnel to keep the water from the Gihon Spring inside the city walls so the Assyrians couldn’t cut off the water supply (2 Chron. 32:3–4). Places of Interest 1. Hezekiah’s Broad Wall 2. Gihon Spring 3. Pool of Siloam 4. Hezekiah's Water Tunnel 5. City of David 6. Temple Mount Hezekiah in the Bible 1. King Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz, was a wicked king. He closed the doors to the temple and burned his children in sacrificial worship to false gods. 2. King Hezekiah was a godly king who reopened the temple and restored worship to God. 2 Kings 18:3–6: And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. 4 He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan). 5 He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. 6 For he held fast to the Lord. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the Lord commanded Moses. 3. King Hezekiah chose not to serve the King of Assyria. 2 Kings 18:7: And the Lord was with him; wherever he went he prospered. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. 4. Sennacherib, the King of Assyria, conquered the southern part of Judah, including the mighty city of Lachish. King Hezekiah tries to keep him at bay by paying him money. 2 Kings 18:13–16: Now in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and seized them. 14 Then Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong. Withdraw from me; whatever you impose on me I will bear.” So the king of Assyria required of Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. 15 Hezekiah gave him all the silver which was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasuries of the king’s house. 16 At that time Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord, and from the doorposts which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria. 5. King Sennacherib makes plans to conquer Jerusalem. 2 Kings 18:17: Then the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rab-saris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah with a large army to Jerusalem. So they went up and came to Jerusalem. 6. King Sennacherib mocks King Hezekiah and the God of Israel. 2 Kings 18:32–35: And do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying, “The Lord will deliver us .” 33 Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 34 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? 35 Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’” 7. King Hezekiah humbles himself before God and sends for the Prophet Isaiah. 2 Kings 19:1–7: And when King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the Lord. 2 Then he sent Eliakim who was over the household with Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. 3 They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and rejection; for children have come to birth and there is no strength to deliver. 4 Perhaps the Lord your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the Lord your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that is left.’” 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. 7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.” 8. King Sennacherib once again threatens King Hezekiah and speaks against the God of Israel. 2 Kings 19:9–12: So he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying, 10 “Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. 11 Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, devoting them to destruction. And shall you be delivered? 12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, the nations that my fathers destroyed.’” 9. Hezekiah seeks the Lord’s help. 2 Kings 19:14–19: Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15 Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and listen to the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 17 Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands 18 and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. 19 Now, O Lord our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God.” 10. God answers Hezekiah’s prayer. 2 Kings 19:20–22: Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah saying, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Because you have prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.’ 21 This is the word that the Lord has spoken against him: ‘She has despised you and mocked you, The virgin daughter of Zion; She has shaken her head behind you, The daughter of Jerusalem! 22 ‘Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? And against whom have you raised your voice, And haughtily lifted up your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel!’” 2 Kings 19:32–34: Therefore, thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, “He will not come to this city or shoot an arrow there; and he will not come before it with a shield or throw up a siege ramp against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same he will return, and he shall not come to this city, declares the Lord. 34 For I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.” 11. God miraculously destroys King Sennacherib and his army. 2 Kings 19:35–37: Then it happened that night that the angel of the Lord went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men rose early in the morning, behold, all of them were dead. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and returned home, and lived at Nineveh. 37 It came about as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son became king in his place. Faith Lesson from the Life of King Hezekiah 1. Even though Hezekiah had a wicked father, he chose to serve the Lord. What about us? Do we realize that no matter what our background might be, and the parents we have, God can still use us greatly if we yield ourselves entirely to Him? 3. King Hezekiah was extremely dedicated to God. 2 Kings 18:5–6: He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. 6 For he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses. What about us? Do we show the same kind of dedication to God? 4. King Hezekiah trusted in God during times of great trials. What about us? Do we trust God during the trials He send us? 5. God blessed and protected him because of his faith and dedication to Him. What about us? Do we realize that God will bless us too if we stay faithful to Him? 6. He worked hard to fortify the old walls, built a huge new wall, and protected the water source of the city. All this was good, but not needed, as God supernaturally protected Jerusalem because Hezekiah trusted in the Lord. What about us? Do we realize that we can do everything we can think of to protect ourselves, but it's ultimately God who is in control? 7. King Hezekiah lived the kind of life God blesses. What about us? Are we following his example?

The Tomb of Mary (mother of Jesus), also known as the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Mary, is located just a little north of the Garden of Gethsemane in the Kidron Valley. Sites of interest include: Mary’s Chapel, Mary’s Tomb, Copt altar, Garden of Gethsemane, Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat), Temple Mount Mary's Tomb: The Mother of Jesus Photo Gallery Places of Interest Mary's Tomb, Mother of Jesus Introduction 1. The New Testament is silent regarding the death and burial of Mary, but strong Christian tradition places her tomb at this site. 2. Some Orthodox and Catholic churches teach that Mary died a natural death at her home on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where the Dormition Abbey stands today. She was then laid to rest at her tomb at this site, and after three days, her body was taken up into heaven, and her tomb was found empty. Because there were no cemeteries near the Dormition Abbey at the time of her death, she was buried here. 3. Protestants believe Mary died a natural death and was buried at her tomb location here. 4. This building houses the Tomb of Mary. It is the underground crypt of a church that no longer exists. The room is dark, with walls blackened by centuries of smoke, giving it an ancient feel. Icons adorn the space, and numerous hanging oil lamps cast a soft glow over the tomb. 5. On the way down the steps, there are two chapels. On the left is the Chapel of Joseph (Jesus' earthly father), and on the right is the Chapel of Mary's parents, Hanna and Joachim. 6. It's a fascinating place with around 2,000 years of history. Let's explore and experience this site. Location The Tomb of Mary, also known as the Church of the Sepulchre of St. Mary, is located just a little north of the Garden of Gethsemane in the Kidron Valley. Right beside the Tomb of Mary Church is the Gethsemane Cave Complex. Historical Background 1. The New Testament is silent regarding the death and burial of Mary, but strong Christian tradition places her tomb at this site. 2. The church is in an underground rock-cut cave in the shape of a cross. A wide staircase leads down to the church. It is dimly lit and features blackish ceilings, a result of centuries of candle burning. 3. The church began as burial caves that were cut into rock in the 1st century. 4. These caves were later expanded in 455 AD into a cross-shaped church with Mary's Tomb in its center. 5. The large crypt containing the empty tomb in the church is all that remains of an early 5th-century AD church. 6. In the 6th century AD, an octagon-shaped church was built on the upper level, covering the tomb. However, the Persians destroyed it in 614. 7. During the Crusader period (1130), the church was rebuilt and included a Benedictine monastery called the Abbey Church of St. Mary of Jehosaphat. Saladin destroyed virtually everything in 1187 except the south entrance and staircase. 8. After the Crusaders left, the site was taken over by the Franciscans. Since then, Greeks, Armenians, Syrians, Copts, Abyssinians, and Muslims have shared it. 9. Muslims also worship here, and on the wall to the right of the Tomb of Mary is a mihrab niche, giving the direction of Mecca. It was installed after Saladin’s conquest in the 12th Century. 10. According to Catholic tradition, Mary ascended into heaven. Her tomb at this church is empty, but it serves as a shrine honoring this event. Protestants believe Mary died a natural death and was buried here as a result. Places of Interest 1. Gethsemane Cave Complex This is believed to be where Jesus and the disciples often stayed in Jerusalem, and where Jesus was arrested before His crucifixion. Eyewitnesses from the fourth and sixth centuries attest to the remains of original artifacts that this was the authentic place where the Gethsemane Press was and where Jesus was arrested the night before being crucified. 2. Church of the Sepulchre of S t. Mary The modern upper level of the church. Forty-seven steps lead down to the dimly lit church. Along the way down the steps, two chapels stand. On the left is the Chapel of Joseph (Jesus' earthly father), and on the right is the Chapel of Mary's parents, Hanna (Anna) and Joachim. Mary’s Chapel Mary’s Tomb Mary was buried in a bench-type tomb, similar to the one Jesus lay in. Around 455 AD, people carved away the rock around her tomb, leaving a naturally chiseled square building, or what we call an edicule, meaning "little house." This natural-stone edicule still surrounds Mary’s tomb today. Interestingly, this construction was almost identical to how Jesus’ original tomb was built centuries earlier—a tomb made of the natural stone that originally encased it. Copt Altar 3. Gethsemane 4. Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat) 5. Temple Mount The Life of Mary in the Bible 1. Mary was a godly woman who had the privilege of being the mother of Jesus. Luke 1:26–31: Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 2. Mary treasured the privilege of being Christ’s earthly mother. Luke 2:19: But Mary treasured all these things , pondering them in her heart. 3. Being the mother of Jesus would come with a high price. Luke 2:34–35: And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul —to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” 4. Mary was an obedient woman, submitting to God and her husband in all things. Matthew 2:13: Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” 5. Because Christ’s earthly father, Joseph, is not mentioned after Christ was 12 years old, and because Christ entrusted the Apostle John with her care at His death, it appears she became a widow at an early age. John 19:25–27: But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. 6. Mary witnessed the crucifixion of her Son on the Cross. John 19:25: Therefore, the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 7. Mary continued to support the apostles and was part of serving the cause of Jesus after His resurrection. Acts 1:14: All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus , and his brothers. Faith Lesson from the Life of Mary 1. Mary was a deeply devoted woman to be honored, but nowhere in Scripture is she worshiped, nor are we commanded to worship or pray to her. 2 . The Lord highly favored Mary because of her love and obedience to Him. When we obey and seek the Lord, He favors us as well. 3. Our obedience doesn’t earn God’s love, but it does bring blessing and favor. 4 . We could learn a lot from the life of Mary and should emulate her faith and devotion to God.