See Tel Beth Shemesh and the place where the Philistines returned the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel during the days of Samuel. It was a border city between Judah and Dan that was given to the Levites. Just across the valley is the town of Zorah, where Samson lived. Some ruins and his tomb can be seen today. Down the valley was the town of Timnah, the hometown of Samson’s first wife, and the area where his girlfriend Delilah lived. Beth-Shemesh Photo Gallery Places of Interest Beth-Shemesh Introduction Welcome to Beth Shemesh. Many significant events from the Bible took place here. These are the highlights. 1. This area was the stomping grounds of Samson. Across the valley to the north, in what was the town of Zorah, is his tomb. Just a bit down the valley to the west is Tel Timnah, the hometown of Delilah, Samson's first wife. 2. Below is the Sorek Valley, one of the most important travel routes running east and west. It was in this valley that the Ark of the Covenant was miraculously returned to the Israelites by the Philistines. The rock area below is likely where the Israelites received the Ark and where they sacrificed the oxen and cart to the Lord. 3. Beth Shemesh was a town situated directly on the border between the Israelites and the Philistines, making its role crucial for the Israelites. Location 1. Beth-Shemesh lies 13 miles (21 km) west of Jerusalem and 20 miles (32 km) east of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s on Hwy. 38, about 5.5 miles (8 km) south of Hwy. 1. 2. Beth-Shemesh was the most important city in the Sorek Valley as it was a guard-city to both east-west and north-south traffic through the region. 3. It was a border city between Judah and Dan that was given to the Levites. 4. Just across the valley (north) is the town of Zorah, where Samson lived. Some ruins and his tomb can be seen today. 5. Down the valley (west) a short distance was the town of Timnah, the hometown of Samson’s first wife, and the area where his girlfriend Delilah lived. 6. Beth-Shemesh means “House of the Sun” and probably got its name from sun worship by the Canaanites. 7. Beth-Shemesh is most known as the place where the Ark of the Covenant arrived when the Philistines returned it in 1 Samuel 6. Historical Background 1. Beth Shemesh was a large, thriving city belonging to the Canaanites when the Israelites arrived in about 1406 BC. 2. The Philistines were part of the Canaanite people group who lived in the land (Gen. 21:34). They possessed iron and were the high-tech people of the day. 3. At the time of the Judges and 1 Samuel (1400-1010 AD), the Philistines had a stronghold in the coastal plain area. 4. As the Philistines gained territory, they moved inland. Beth Shemesh and the cities in the Sorek Valley were affected and became border towns between the Philistines and the Israelites. 5. Samson, who lived across from Beth Shemesh in Zorah, engaged in battle with the Philistines to liberate the area from their grasp and return it to the Israelites. 6. The Philistines worshipped the false god, Dagon, who was supposedly the father of Baalsabul, or Baal. He was a fish god of fertility, represented as a half-man, half-fish creature. 7. Samson was one of the last judges who ruled over Israel for twenty years, primarily acting as a military deliverer against the Philistines from around 1118 to 1078 BC. Places of Interest 1. Tel Beth-Shemesh Ancient Stone and Room (Likely place the Ark of the Covenant was placed while in Beth Shemesh) 5th-century AD Byzantine Monastery Underground Water Reservoir Northern Double-Chambered Gate Southern Gate Mosque Ruins Tombs Large rock where the Israelites likely sacrificed the oxen that pulled the cart after receiving the Ark of the Covenant from the Philistines. 2. Sorek Valley 3. Nahal Sorek Stream 4. Zorah Samson's Tomb 5. Tel Timnah 6. Modern Beth-Shemesh Beth-Shemesh in the Bible 1. In around 1075 BC, God gave the Israelites over to the Philistines because they had done evil in His sight. Judges 13:1: And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, so the LORD gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. 2. God raised up Samson to begin the deliverance of the area from the hand of the Philistines (Judges 13–16). 3. The Ark of the Covenant was captured in a battle against the Philistines. This was due to judgment against the priest Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who all died in battle because of their wickedness (1 Sam. 4). 4. The Philistines believed they were victorious in battle because their god, Dagon, was stronger than the true God of the Israelites. As a result, the Philistines took the Ark to the temple of their god, Dagon, to honor him for the victory. 5. However, God made the false god, Dagon, fall down in worship before the Ark. 1 Samuel 5:1–4: When the Philistines captured the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon. 3 And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. 4 But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. 6. God sent the Philistines many sicknesses as a result of possessing the Ark. So they moved it from town to town, thinking their diseases were just coincidental. 7. Finally, they realized that it was God who was behind their diseases and decided to send the Ark of the Covenant back to the Israelites. 8. The Philistines prepare to return the Ark to the Israelites in Beth-Shemesh. 1 Samuel 6:1–9: The ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months . 2 And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us with what we shall send it to its place.” 3 They said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty, but by all means return him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand does not turn away from you.” 4 And they said, “What is the guilt offering that we shall return to him?” They answered, “Five golden tumors and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, for the same plague was on all of you and on your lords. 5 So you must make images of your tumors and images of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lighten his hand from off you and your gods and your land. 6 Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he had dealt severely with them, did they not send the people away, and they departed? 7 Now then, take and prepare a new cart and two milk cows on which there has never come a yoke, and yoke the cows to the cart, but take their calves home, away from them. 8 And take the ark of the LORD and place it on the cart and put in a box at its side the figures of gold, which you are returning to him as a guilt offering. Then send it off and let it go its way 9 and watch. If it goes up on the way to its own land, to Beth-Shemesh , then it is he who has done us this great harm, but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it happened to us by coincidence.” 9. The Ark miraculously arrives at Beth-Shemesh. 1 Samuel 6:10–13: The men did so and took two milk cows and yoked them to the cart and shut up their calves at home. 11 And they put the ark of the LORD on the cart and the box with the golden mice and the images of their tumors. 12 And the cows went straight in the direction of Beth-Shemesh along one highway, lowing as they went. They turned neither to the right nor to the left, and the lords of the Philistines went after them as far as the border of Beth-Shemesh . 13 Now the people of Beth-Shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley. And when they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, they rejoiced to see it. 10. The Israelites offer a burnt offering to the Lord in gratitude for receiving the Ark. 1 Samuel 6:14–16: The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth-Shemesh and stopped there. A great stone was there. And they split up the wood of the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the LORD. 15 And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD and the box that was beside it, in which were the golden figures, and set them upon the great stone. And the men of Beth-Shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices on that day to the LORD. 16 And when the five lords of the Philistines saw it, they returned that day to Ekron. 11. During the brief time the Ark was in Beth Shemesh, it was looked upon by some of the Israelites, and they were killed by God for doing so. This place can still be seen today. 1 Samuel 6:19: And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they looked upon the ark of the Lord. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the Lord had struck the people with a great blow. 12. The Beth-Shemesh area is where Philip the Evangelist witnessed to the Ethiopian Eunuch. Acts 8:26–31: Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza .” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet, Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Faith Lesson from Beth-Shemesh 1. The Israelites adopted the sinful culture of those around them and did evil in the sight of the Lord. Am I careful not to adopt the sinful lifestyles and beliefs of the culture in which I live? 2. Even though the Israelites sinned and failed to be a faithful witness to the surrounding nations, God protected His glory and showed Himself to them as the true and living God. Am I a faithful witness to my culture in living out God’s truth and reflecting His glory? 3. Do I use the miracles God has done in my life as a tool to witness and teach others who God is? 4. Like Philip, am I obedient in listening to God’s voice and sharing the gospel when He prompts me?

The church of Dominus Flevit marks the place where Jesus wept over Jerusalem as He entered it on Palm Sunday at His famous, Triumphal Entry from the Mount of Olives. See everything you want to know about this historical event. Dominus Flevit Church Photo Gallery Places of Interest Dominus Flevit Church Introduction Dominus Flevit Church is located on the Triumphal Entry Path and is where Jesus stopped and wept over Jerusalem. 1. He wept over Jerusalem because they would reject Him, and as a result, destruction would come upon them. 2. The church is shaped like a large teardrop. This is so as it represents the tears Jesus wept over Jerusalem. 3. There are only two times in the Bible where Jesus wept. This is one of them. 4. In the place, you will be in the very footsteps of Jesus. 5. Let's experience and explore this meaningful site. Location 1. Dominus Flevit (Latin for "the Lord wept") is a Roman Catholic church on the Mount of Olives, opposite the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem in Israel. 2. It's located halfway down the western slope of the Mount of Olives and marks the place where Jesus wept over Jerusalem's future fate. 3. The Triumphal Entry begins at the upper part of the Mount of Olives and winds its way down to the bottom of the mountain to the Garden of Gethsemane. Historical Background 1. The present church (finished in 1955) was built upon the foundations of an earlier Byzantine church from the 5th century, which, like most churches, faced east. 2. During the Crusader era (1095-1291 AD), people began commemorating the location. 3. After the fall of Jerusalem in 1187, the church fell into ruin. 4. Around 1525 AD, the Turks claimed to have built a mosque or madrasah using the remains of the earlier church. 5. For quite some time, the Franciscans could not obtain the ruins of the original Dominus Flevit Church. In 1891, they solved this problem by purchasing a plot of land nearby and building a small chapel on it. 6. In 1913, a private home was built in front of the Franciscan chapel. The home was given to the Sisters of Saint Joseph, although they eventually sold it to a Portuguese woman. During the construction of the boundary wall of this private home, the workers found the remains of ancient tombs. The site was then thoroughly excavated from 1953 to 1955. 7. During the sanctuary's construction, archaeologists uncovered artifacts dating back to the Canaanite period, as well as tombs from the Second Temple and Byzantine eras. 8. Other artifacts found were a tomb from the bronze era and a necropolis (building used to encase tombs) dating back between 136 BC and 300 AD. This particular necropolis spanned two different periods, as suggested by the two very different tomb styles. The Second Temple era tombs are in the Koki style, and the Byzantine period tombs had an arcosolium from the 4th century. 9. In 1940, the Benedictine Sisters sold part of the property to the Franciscans. The old boundary wall was moved at this time to make the division. In 1953, the Franciscans began construction of another wall. While digging the foundations, workers unearthed ancient tombs. 10. The modern church, designed by the Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi and constructed between 1953 and 1955, is held in trust by the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. Places of Interest 1. Triumphal Entry Path 2. Entrance to Dominus Flevit Church Property 3. Just after entering the church property, to the right are ancient burial caves with different kinds of tombs. This is also called a N ecropolis, which is a building used to encase tombs. The first type of tomb is a slab with an arch. This was a common tomb style during Christ's time. It was used for wealthier people. The second tomb style is an open shaft and was used for middle-class people. Lower-class people were just buried in the ground with little or no markers. During this time period, the bones would be gathered for a second burial after about a year (when the bodies had decomposed) and placed in boxes called "Ossuaries." 4. Outside the Modern Church It was designed by the Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi and constructed between 1953 and 1955. It is held in trust by the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. It is shaped in the form of a tear. Signifying Christ weeping over Jerusalem because of the future destruction He knew would come because the city rejected Him as their Messiah. It has four jars on the upper corners for holding tears, which was common in Jesus's time. A tear bottle is a small glass bottle representing sorrow, described in the Bible. Tear bottles were used to capture an individual’s tears during moments of grief as a sign of mourning or repentance. The bottles on this church represent the tears Jesus shed over Jerusalem. The Bible says that one day, God will wipe away all our tears: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). 5. Pillars from the Crusader Period It appears these pillars were part of a Crusader Church from around 1150 AD, built over the ruins of the original Byzantine Church. 6. Mosaic from the Byzantine Church Just to the left of the modern church is a Byzantine mosaic floor, dating back to the beginning of the 4th or 5th century AD. Ribbons and wave motifs surround the floor. The center of the carpet is divided by squares containing round frames. The circles contain fruit, vegetables, flowers, and fish. The motifs reflect the importance of agriculture in Jerusalem's Byzantine era. Parts of the mosaic can also be seen inside the modern church building, featuring a limestone slab with a large cross at its center. 7. Inside the Modern Church Apse of the Byzantine Church — After entering the modern church, the original apse (semi-round circle marking the front of a church) can be seen. The original Byzantine church faced east, as did all churches during this era. Some of the mosaic floors from this church have been preserved. A cross from this period can be seen at the center of the floor. Ceiling—The ceiling is covered with gold. This color represents heavenly tears, namely, those of Jesus as He wept for Jerusalem, knowing its coming destruction. Four carved reliefs on the sides of the ceiling show the (1) Triumphal Entry, (2) the destruction of Jerusalem, (3) Mary, the mother of Jesus, and other women, and (4) Peter, James, and John, disciples of Jesus. The western window of the Dominus Flevit Church provides a beautiful view of the Temple Mount. A mosaic on the altar of the Dominus Flevit Church illustrates a hen gathering her chickens, according to Luke 13:34: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings , and you would not have it! 8. Crown of Thorns Tree Right in front of the modern church is a tree with huge thorns. It was from a tree like this that the crown of thorns was most likely made and placed on Jesus' head. 9. Location Where the Ashes of the Red Heifer Were Offered Some believe the ashes of the Red Heifer would have been offered in this area. It was right across from the Temple and fits the biblical description. Numbers 19:1-3: Now the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2 “This is the statute of the law that the Lord has commanded: Tell the people of Israel to bring you a red heifer without defect, in which there is no blemish, and on which a yoke has never come. 3 And you shall give it to Eleazar the priest, and it shall be taken outside the camp and slaughtered before him. 10. Winepress While the Mount of Olives consisted mainly of olive trees, it also had vineyards on it. Here is an ancient winepress that was used for processing grapes. People would crush the grapes in a large pit (barefoot so they wouldn't crush the seeds and make the wine bitter), and then the juice would flow by gravity down into wine barrels for making wine. 11. Bethphage (beginning point of the Triumphal Entry) 12. Mount of Olives 13. Garden of Gethsemane 14. Temple Mount 15. Kidron Valley Triumphal Entry Background 1. The Triumphal Entry was a major event in the life of Jesus wherein He entered Jerusalem on the Sunday before He would be crucified (Friday the Passover) and rise from the dead the following Sunday. 2. Christ designed this event to broadcast to the Nation of Israel that He was their Passover Lamb. 3. It is also called Palm Sunday because palm branches were laid on the road as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. 4. It would mark Christ’s last days of intensive teaching and condemnation of the Jews for rejecting Him and His message. 5. It would begin Christ’s last week on earth. Triumphal Entry in the Bible 1. The Triumphal Entry was prophesied in the Old Testament. Some 450–500 years earlier, the Prophet Zechariah prophesied: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” ( Zech. 9:9). 2. The Triumphal Entry was fulfilled in the New Testament. Matthew 21:7–9: They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!” 3. Palm Sunday was also the fulfillment of the Prophet Daniel's "seventy-sevens" prophecy. Daniel 9:25: Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. 4. The Triumphal Entry, which occurred on the Sunday before the Passover, was also the day of the lamb selection for the Passover. According to Exodus 12, this was the day set aside for each Israelite family to choose the lamb they would kill for their Passover meal. The blood from their lamb was to be put on the doorposts of their homes so the angel of death would not kill their firstborn children. The Passover was celebrated each year to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt and to acknowledge God's miraculous salvation. The fact that Christ entered Jerusalem on this very day was no accident. He was proclaiming Himself as the Passover Lamb, not only for the Israelites but for all humanity. 5. Christ entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Luke 19:28–35: And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: 'The Lord has need of it.'" 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 And they said, "The Lord has need of it." 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. The meaning of a donkey. A donkey was a symbol of peace; a horse was a symbol of war. Christ came to make peace with mankind at His first coming by dying for our sins. However, at His second coming, He will come riding a horse to wage war with mankind and judge them for their sinful rejection of Him. 6. The crowd took branches of palm trees and cried out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” John 12:12–13: So, they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" It was a cry for deliverance from Roman occupation. The last time the Israelites had their freedom, during the Maccabean rule from 167–63 BC, their money had the symbol of a palm branch as a sign of freedom. It was like the national flag of a country. It was the Jew’s way of saying that they wanted Christ to be their King and deliver them from the Romans.The meaning of the palm branches. 7. At the place marked by the church, Dominus Flevit, Christ paused and wept over Jerusalem. 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." There are only two times in the Bible where it is noted that Christ wept. The first time was at the death of Lazarus, and the second during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Both places are located on the Mount of Olives. In this account of Christ weeping, He wept for those who aren’t saved and the judgment that awaits them. Within 40 years, in AD 70, Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled. Roman legions besieged Jerusalem and, after six months of fighting, burnt the temple and leveled the city. 8. The first time Christ wept took place at the death of Lazarus, just a week or so earlier on the backside of the Mount of Olives. J ohn 11:33–36: When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" In this account, Christ weeps for those who suffer. Faith Lesson 1. The Triumphal Entry was a prophesied event from the Old Testament and reveals the validity of Scripture and God’s sovereignty. 2. Christ wept over Jerusalem because of their rejection of Him and the judgment that would await them as a result. Does Christ weep for you because you don’t know Him and will be separated from Him in hell for all eternity? 3. Christ wept with those at the death of Lazarus. Does Christ weep with you as He understands your pain and suffering?

Tel Arad was founded by the Canaanites in around 3500 BC. It was conquered by the Israelites in the conquest of the Promised Land. A fortress was later built in the 9th century. It was destroyed by the Assyrians and later by the Babylonians. It has a well-preserved temple inside the fortress. Tel Arad Photo Gallery Places of Interest Tel Arad Location 1. Tel Arad is in the Negev about 16 miles (26 km.) east of Tel Beersheba, and 33 miles (54 km.) south of Jerusalem. 2. Tel Arad covers an area of about 100 acres (40 hectares) and is on the west side of Hwy 80. 3. Although this part of the Negev receives little rain, Arad is strategically situated on ancient trade routes. Historical Background 1. Tel Arad has two major settlement periods, a Canaanite and an Israelite period. The lower part of the tel is from the Canaanite period and the upper fortress part is from the Israelite period. 2. The Canaanites were the original settlers of Arad and established a large city here around 3500 BC. It had an estimated population of approximately 2,500 residents. 3. Israel captured Arad in the conquest under Joshua. Later, in around 940 BC, an Israelite settlement was established here. 4. Because Tel Arad is so strategically located and important, it was destroyed and rebuilt 6 times from the 9th to the 6th centuries. It was most likely destroyed in 701 BC by the Assyrians and again by the Babylonians in 587 BC. 5. Over 100 pottery shards (Ostraca) were discovered at Tel Arad dating to the 7th and 6th centuries BC. Two of these are of great value as they mention two people from priestly families in the Bible, “Pashhur” from Ezra 2:38, and Meremoth from Ezra 8:33. 6. Two other pottery shards found at Tel Arad have written on them the name Arad, which confirms the identification of the city. Places of Interest 1. Canaanite City City walls City gate Temple Palace City Well Homes 2. Entrance to Tel Arad 3. Upper parking – Easy access to the Fortress Mound 4. Israelite Fortress at Tel Arad Although there was a small settlement during the time of Solomon, it was during the divided kingdom period that a fortress was set up at Tel Arad. The fortress served to protect Judah’s southern border against its enemies. The southern area of Judah was dangerous, and the fortress at Arad was destroyed 6 times during the divided kingdom period. It is likely that one of the destructions of the fortress occurred during Hezekiah’s reign when he rebelled against the Assyrian King, Sennacherib, in 701 BC. Scripture recounts how all the fortified cities of Judah were destroyed at this time (2 Kings 18:13). The fortress was rebuilt but destroyed again as a result of Nebuchadnezzar’s conquest of Judah in 586 BC. During the Hellenistic period of the 3rd to 2nd centuries BC, a tower was built in the center of the fortress compound. During the Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman periods, the tower was repaired and used as a military post. During the early Arab period, the structure served as an inn for caravans. The fortress was finally abandoned in the 10th century AD. Entrance Towers Outer Court 5. Israelite Temple at Tel Arad Arad had a functioning temple during the time of the divided kingdom that was somewhat similar to the temple in Jerusalem. The temple at Arad was forbidden by God because the Israelites were to worship at no other place but Jerusalem at this time (Deut. 12:5-6). Outer Court Altar Holy place – In Scripture, the holy place was a long rectangular room. At Arad, it is a wide rectangular room. Altars of Incense Holy of Holies Dimensions of the Holy of Holies – In the tabernacle God ordered Moses to erect, the required dimensions of the Holy of Holies were to be 10 cubits by 10 cubits (15 ft., 9 m.) (Ex. 26:31–33). In Solomon’s temple, the Holy of Holies measured 20 cubits by 20 cubits (30 ft., 9 m.) (1 Kings 6:16). When the second temple was rebuilt under Ezra, the measurements of the Holy of Holies of Solomon’s temple were kept. The Holy of Holies at Arad measures about 7 ft. by 7 ft. (2.13 m.), much smaller than the Tabernacle of Moses and the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Standing stones – There are two standing stones in the Holy of Holies. One represents Yahweh and the other, Asherah, a false female god. This shows the worship of false gods mixed with the worship of God. Clearly, this was strictly forbidden. According to archeological data, the temple in Arad was destroyed during King Josiah’s reign in about 630 BC (2 Kings 23:4–20). It’s possible, though, that the temple could have been removed by King Hezekiah under his reforms (2 Kings 18:22). Even though the worshipers at Arad were commanded to tear down the temple there, they refused to do so and covered it over with dirt instead. Arad in the Bible 1. The King of Arad attacked Israel while they were making their way toward the Promised Land. Numbers 21:1–3: When the Canaanite, the king of Arad , who lived in the Negeb, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive. 2 And Israel vowed a vow to the Lord and said, “If you will indeed give this people into my hand, then I will devote their cities to destruction.” 3 And the Lord heeded the voice of Israel and gave over the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their cities to destruction. So the name of the place was called Hormah. 2. After the confrontation with the king of Arad, the Israelites turned around and headed south toward the Red Sea instead of entering the Promised Land from the Negev region (Num. 21:4). 3. The area of Arad was given to the tribe of Simeon during the conquest of the land (Joshua 19:1–8). 4. The relatives of Moses’ father-in-law (Kenites) also settled in the area around Arad. Judges 1:16–17: And the descendants of the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, went up with the people of Judah from the city of palms into the wilderness of Judah, which lies in the Negeb near Arad , and they went and settled with the people. 17 And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they defeated the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and devoted it to destruction. So the name of the city was called Hormah. Josiah’s Reforms and destruction of the temple in Arad. 1. Josiah became king and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. 2 Kings 22:1–2: Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. 2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left. 2. Josiah’s grandfather, Manasseh, was very wicked until God humbled him, and he repented. His father, Amon, was so wicked that his servants killed him (2 Kings 21). Josiah’s heritage was wicked and could have given him an excuse to live the same way. However, even at an extremely young age of 8, he loved the Lord and did what was right. Interestingly, the Book of the Law wasn’t found until Josiah was 26 years old (2 Kings 22:3). This meant Josiah did what was right from a young age, even without Scripture to guide him. 3. The Book of the Law (Bible) was found and read to Josiah. 2 Kings 22:8–11: And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9 And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord.” 10 Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. 11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law , he tore his clothes. 4. Josiah read the Bible to his whole kingdom and made a covenant with them to follow the Lord. 2 Kings 23: 1–3: Then the king sent, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him. 2 And the king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. 3 And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant. 5. Josiah cleansed the temple and ordered that all the altars and shrines to the false gods all throughout the land be destroyed (2 Kings 23:4–20). It was most likely Josiah who ordered the temple removed at Tel Arad. 6. Josiah reinstitutes and celebrates the Passover. 2 Chronicles 35:18: No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as was kept by Josiah, and the priests and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 35:7: Then Josiah contributed to the lay people, as Passover offerings for all who were present, lambs and young goats from the flock to the number of 30,000, and 3,000 bulls; these were from the king's possessions . 7. There was no king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart. 2 Kings 23:25: Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him. 8. Unfortunately, Josiah’s two sons who reigned after him did not follow the Lord but acted wickedly (2 Kings 23:31–37). Faith Lesson from Arad 1. The Israelites in Arad set up their own temple and worshiped God their own way, which was forbidden to do. Do we realize that worshiping the right God in the wrong way is still wrong? 2. Josiah’s heritage was rooted in sin, yet he chose to follow the Lord at a very young age. Do we realize that God can still use us mightily regardless of our past if we turn to Him with all our hearts as Josiah did? 3. Even though Josiah followed God with all his heart, his children chose evil. Each person has a free will to do as they please regardless of the kind of parents they have.

The Mount of Beatitudes is where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Located north of the Sea of Galilee in Israel, it is a must-see site to visit on a Holy Land Tour to Israel. Learn about the heart of what Christ was telling us and how it applies to us today. This sermon is the most complete and famous teaching Christ preached. It’s 3 chapters long and is found in Matthew 5–7. Sites of interest include: Mount Arbel, Magdala, Gennesaret, Tabhga, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Kirsi, Feeding 5,000. Mt. of Beatitudes - Sermon on the Mount Photo Gallery Places of Interest Mt. of Beatitudes - Sermon on the Mount Introduction Welcome to the Mount of Beatitudes. One of the most significant events from the Bible took place here. Here are the highlights. 1. This is the location of the Sermon on the Mount. The longest sermon of Jesus recorded in Scripture. 2. Imagine multitudes of people gathered here to listen to Christ's powerful and impactful words. 3. Scripture says the people were astonished at Jesus's teachings, and He taught them like no one else. 4. It's no surprise that Jesus taught from here, as it has a breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee. 5. We'll tour the church and the surrounding area, seeing all its highlights and points of interest. 6. We're going to highlight some of the parts of the Sermon on the Mount right here, embracing and just soaking it in, just like the people that Jesus taught. 7. We are going to be sitting in the very area where Jesus taught around 2000 years ago, listening to the exact words He spoke in the very same place He spoke them. 8. Afterward, we're going to walk in the same footsteps of Jesus down the Mount of Olives to the Sea of Galilee. Along the way, we'll stop to visit some ancient stones with inscriptions marking the site of a small church that once stood on the spot. Location 1. The Mount of Beatitudes is located on a hill overlooking the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. 2. This is the best candidate for the location of the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:1 says, "Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain , and when he sat down, his disciples came to him." Luke 6:12-13: In these days he went out to the mountain to pray , and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles. Luke 6: 17: "And he came down with them and stood on a level place , with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people." 3. It has a spectacular view of the sea. 4. It has great acoustics. Historical Background 1. This sermon is the most complete and famous teaching Christ preached. 2. It’s three chapters long and is found in Matthew 5–7. 3. In the same way the Law was given on Mt. Sinai, many theologians see the Sermon on the Mount as the summary of the New Covenant. 4. In this sermon, Christ clarifies many Old Testament meanings and misinterpretations by constantly saying, “You have heard it said, but I say to you.” 5. The view from the Sermon on the Mount is spectacular and provided a perfect backdrop for Christ’s hearers to see as they contemplated His powerful message. 6. It was no accident that Christ chose this setting, as He used nature and creation to aid in much of His teachings. 7. Archaeological remains at the foot of the modern church include the foundations of a small Byzantine-era church dating to around 350 AD. Fragments of mosaic flooring and a rock-cut cistern were found in those excavations. This early church is evidence that Christians identified this slope as a holy place by 350 AD. Building churches was illegal in the Roman Empire until 313 AD. So, even before a church was built here, the early Christians marked out this spot and venerated it long before the first church was built here. 8. Today, the Church of the Beatitudes is an octagonal building located on this site. It was built in 1938 for a Franciscan order of nuns. The eight sides of the church represent the eight beatitudes, as shown in Latin, in the upper windows. Places of Interest 1. Entrance 2. Plaques with Bible verses of the beatitudes. 3. Fountain 4. Guest House and Beatitude Monastery up the hill from the church. 5. Church of the Beatitudes It's shaped in the form of an octagon (eight sides). Why is this church, and many others, in the shape of an octagon? Jesus rose on the eighth day. Sunday was called the eighth day. By the time Christianity was legalized by the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, a universal Church tradition known as the Octave had developed. Eight plaques on the walls with the eight beatitudes written on them in Latin. Altar in the center made of alabaster and onyx. On the floor around the altar are eight mosaic tiles written in Latin. The main one says Praise be to Christ. Each of the other seven tiles has a specific biblical virtue written on it. Fortitude Charity (love) Prudence Faith Justice Hope Temperance Other plaques, written in Latin, are located around the walls. The acoustics within the church are excellent. Many groups sing a song while inside the church. 6. Sea of Galilee 7. Ancient Monumental Stones down the hill from the church. The circle of black basalt stones around this tree is the ruins of that ancient church. We're not certain what this site conmemorates, but it appears to venerate sharing the gospel. 8. Eremos Cave down the hill from the church. Some believe this is the cave where Jesus spent the night in prayer before selecting his 12 disciples and preaching the Sermon on the Mount. However, it doesn't align well with the context and the Bible's account of this event. 9. Job's Spring on the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. A large spring with a waterfall that empties into the sea. The Sermon on the Mount in the Bible 1. In the eight beatitudes, everything is flipped or reversed from what most of us would understand as blessings. Matt. 5:1–12: Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 2. Christ addressed the true essence of anger, adultery, divorce, keeping our word, how to treat our enemies, giving, prayer, and what genuine salvation looks like. 3. He taught about storing our riches in heaven and how to handle worry and stress. Matthew 6:19–20: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:25–34: Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles [nonbelievers] seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 4. Christ ended His message with a sober warning about the importance of obeying and living out His words, not just listening to them. Matthew 7:24–29: Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." 28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. Faith Lesson from the Sermon on the Mount 1. Christ began His sermon by clarifying the principles of true blessings in life. Do we understand each principle, and are we living them out? 2. Christ focused on the heart attitude behind His commands. Do we understand that Christ looks at our hearts and motives for why we obey or don’t obey His commands? 3. Christ stressed the importance of storing our riches in heaven and living for eternity. Do we truly value our treasures in heaven, or are we primarily focused on this life and the treasures it has to offer? 4. Christ defined a wise person as one who lived out what He taught. He defined a foolish person as one who heard but did not put into practice what He taught. Do we often know what to do but fail actually to live it out? 5. Are we building our lives on the sand or on the rock?

The Tower of David, also known as the Jerusalem Citadel, is a historic and iconic landmark located near the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. Its history spans several millennia and reflects the city's rich and diverse cultural heritage. King Herod’s Palace, located near the Tower of David, was one of the most magnificent structures in ancient Jerusalem. Tower of David & King Herod's Palace Photo Gallery Places of Interest Tower of David & King Herod's Palace Complex Introduction 1. This is a landmark site in Old City Jerusalem. It's history goes way back to over 2,800 years ago. 2. We'll see evidence of this as we see this site. 3. We'll see part of Herod's Palace, close to where Jesus was tried before Pontius Pilate. 4. Today, it's a museum marking all these monumental events over the years. Location 1. The Tower of David, also known as the Jerusalem Citadel, is a historic and iconic landmark near the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. Its history spans several millennia and reflects the city's rich and diverse cultural heritage. 2. King Herod’s Palace, located near the Tower of David, was one of the most magnificent structures in ancient Jerusalem. 3. The name "Tower of David" was first used for the Herodian tower in the 5th century AD by the Byzantine Christians, who believed the site to be the palace of King David. They borrowed the name "Tower of David" from the Song of Songs, attributed to Solomon, King David's son, who wrote: "Thy neck is like the Tower of David built with turrets, whereon there hang a thousand shields, all the armor of the mighty men" (Song of Solomon 4:4). Tower of David Historical Background 1. First Temple Period - 1000 BC to 901 BC The site dates back to the First Temple period and was part of the city’s northern fortifications. 2. Hasmonean Period - 165 to 63 BC Significant construction occurred during this period, and the fortress was rebuilt. The northern part of Old City Jerusalem was always the weakest and most vulnerable side because attacking armies could descend upon it from higher ground. 3. Herodian Period - 37 to 4 BC Herod, who took power over the Hasmonean dynasty, added three massive towers to the fortifications in 37–34 BC. He built these at the vulnerable northwest corner of the Western Hill, where the Citadel is now located. His purpose was not only to defend the city but also to safeguard his own royal palace located nearby on Mount Zion. Herod named the tallest of the towers in memory of his brother, who had committed suicide while in captivity. Another tower was called Mariamne, named for his second wife, whom he had executed and buried in a cave to the west of the tower. He named the third tower Hippicus after one of his friends. Of the three towers, only the base of one of them survives today. Of the original tower itself (now called the Tower of David), some sixteen courses of the Herodian stone ashlars still rise from ground level, upon which were added smaller stones in a later period that added back significantly to the height of the remaining stump of the Herodian tower. Roman Period in Israel - 63 BC to 313 AD During the Jewish war with Rome, Simon Bar Kokhba made the tower his residence. Following the Romans' destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, the three towers were preserved as a testimony to the might of the fortifications and Roman legions, and the site served as barracks for the Roman troops. Byzantine Period in Israel - 313 to 614 AD The Byzantines also fortified the area, adding to its defensive capabilities. When the empire adopted Christianity as its dominant religion in the 4th century, a community of monks established itself in the citadel. During this time, the remaining Herodian tower and the Citadel acquired their alternative name, the "Tower of David." This was so because the Byzantines mistakenly identified the hill as Mount Zion and presumed it to be David's palace, as mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:11, 11:1-27, and 16:22. Islamic Period - 638 to 1099 AD After the Arab conquest of Jerusalem in 638, the new Muslim rulers refurbished the citadel. This mighty structure withstood the Crusaders' assault in 1099 and surrendered only when its defenders were guaranteed safe passage out of the city. Crusader Period - 1099 to 1291 AD The Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099 and used the citadel as a fortress. During this period, thousands of pilgrims undertook the pilgrimage to Jerusalem through the port at Jaffa. To protect pilgrims from the menace of highway robbers, the Crusaders built a tower surrounded by a moat atop the citadel and posted lookouts to guard the road to Jaffa. The citadel also protected the newly erected palace of the Crusader kings of Jerusalem, located immediately south of the citadel. Mamluk and Ottoman Period - 1291 to 1800 AD In 1310, the citadel was rebuilt by Mamluk sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, who gave it much of its present shape. The Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent expanded the citadel between 1537 and 1541, whose architects designed a large entrance behind which stood a cannon emplacement. For 400 years, the citadel served as a garrison for Turkish troops. The Ottomans also installed a mosque near the southwest corner of the citadel, erecting a minaret between 1635 and 1655. In the 19th century, the conspicuous minaret still stands today and became commonly called the "Tower of David." During World War I, British forces under General Edmund Allenby captured Jerusalem. General Allenby formally proclaimed the event, standing on a platform at the outer eastern gate of the citadel. British Mandate Period - 1917 to 1948 During this period, the Tower of David served as a military headquarters. Additionally, th e High Commissioner established the Pro-Jerusalem Society to protect the city's cultural heritage. This organization cleaned and renovated the citadel and reopened it to the public as a venue for concerts, benefit events, and exhibitions by local artists. In the 1930s, a museum of Palestinian folklore was opened in the citadel, displaying traditional crafts and clothing. Following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Arab Legion captured Jerusalem and converted the citadel back to its historical role as a military position, as it commanded a dominant view across the armistice line into Jewish Jerusalem. It would keep this role until 1967. State of Israel Today Since the Six-Day War in 1967, the citadel's cultural role has been revived. The Jerusalem Foundation opened the Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem in 1989. Located in a series of chambers in the original citadel, the museum includes a courtyard with archeological remains dating back 2,700 years. The exhibits depict 4,000 years of Jerusalem's history, from its beginnings as a Canaanite city to modern times. Using maps, videotapes, holograms, drawings, and models, the exhibit rooms each depict Jerusalem under its various rulers. Visitors may also ascend to the ramparts, which command a 360-degree view of Jerusalem's Old and New City. As of 2002, the Jerusalem Foundation reported that over 3.5 million visitors had toured the museum. The Tower of David stands as a testament to Jerusalem’s complex and layered history, reflecting the many civilizations that have left their mark on the city. If you ever visit, you’ll find it offers a fascinating glimpse into the past! King Herod's Palace Historical Background 1. King Herod’s Palace, located near the Tower of David, was one of the most magnificent structures in ancient Jerusalem. 2. Herod the Great built it in the 1st century BC. The palace was renowned for its grandeur and luxury. 3. The palace complex included two main buildings with banquet halls, baths, and gardens, all surrounded by impressive fortifications. 4. It served as the administrative center of Herod’s rule and later as the residence of Roman governors, including Pontius Pilate. 5. The Tower of David and Herod’s Palace were part of the same fortified area, with the palace located just to the west of the citadel. 6. Excavations have uncovered parts of Herod’s palace near the Tower of David, providing valuable insights into the period's architectural and historical context. 7. The Kishle and King Herod’s Palace offer fascinating glimpses into Jerusalem’s layered history, from ancient times through various periods of conquest and rule. If you visit the Tower of David Museum, you can explore these areas and learn more about their historical significance. Places of Interest 1. Tower of David Museum 2. Jaffa Gate 3. Herod/Pilate's Palace 4. Kishle 5. Temple Mount 6. Church of the Holy Sepulchre Faith Lesson from the Tower of David and Herod's Palace 1. The stones here cry out that God’s Word is true and is verifiable through the fulfillment of these prophecies. 2. At the Southern Stair entrance area of the Temple Mount is a sad but very true saying, “The Jerusalem Stone, so resilient and supple, bows to the transient follies of humankind, bearing a testimony like a hundred witnesses, and yet, remains silent.” 3. We find in all that has happened to the Jews a powerful and sobering message for us today. Obedience brings God’s blessings, but disobedience brings His discipline. 1 Corinthians 10:11–12: Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

Hebron is mentioned 72 times in the Bible. It's the beginning place of the nation of Israel. God's promises and covenants with Abraham and his descendants happened in Hebron or nearby. Later, from Hebron, David would reign for 7 1/2 years before becoming king over all Israel in Jerusalem. Sites of interest include Macpelah: Cave of the Patriarchs, where Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah are buried. Oaks of Mamre, David's Palace, Tel Hebron (Tel Rumeida). Hebron Overview Photo Gallery Places of Interest Hebron Overview Location 1. The city of Hebron is set in the Judean Mountains about 20 miles (32 km.) south of Jerusalem. 2. Hebron stands 3,000 feet (914 m.) above sea level, making it the highest city in Israel. 3. It is located on a well-traveled route that runs north and south through the mountainous part of Israel. Well-known towns like Beersheba, Hebron, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Bethel, Shiloh, and Schechem are located on this route. 4. Abraham and the other patriarchs traveled this route repeatedly. Historical Background 1. Hebron is one of the most popular places in the Bible being mentioned 72 times. 2. It was inhabited by the Canaanites before Abraham and the Israelites arrived. 3. Hebron is the beginning place and roots of the nation of Israel. God's promises and covenants with Abraham and his descendants happened in Hebron or nearby. These promises would also have wide-reaching implications and include all the nations of the earth. 4. Located in Hebron is Machpelah, the Cave of the Patriarchs. Abraham purchased the cave and the adjoining field at full market price as a burial place for his family some 3,700 years ago. The Cave of the Patriarchs building is the second holiest site in Judaism (after the Western Wall in Jerusalem) and is also sacred to Christians and Muslims. In the cave are the tombs of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah. The tombs of the patriarchs are under the foundation of the building, but their memorial monuments are visible in the building on the first floor. The site was venerated throughout Israel's history, and King David, along with the other kings, preserved and protected it. Just before the time of Christ, King Herod built a massive wall around the cave in around 20 BC to preserve it and establish a memorial place for the Jews. He used the same style of stones as he did for the Temple Mount walls in Jerusalem. In order to appease the Jews, King Herod built three holy sites. These consist of: (1) this site of Machpelah (2) Mamre (just a mile or 1.5 km. north of this site), and (3) the Temple Mount and temple in Jerusalem. This building of Machpelah is the only building in Israel that has remained intact and undamaged since it was built. During the Byzantine period (324-638 AD), the building was used as a church and they erected a small basilica with a roof over part of the interior. The Muslims (638 - 1099 AD) then used it as a mosque. The Crusaders (1099 - 1263) continued to use it as a church and built the roof that exists today that covers the entire building. Today, because Abraham is a central figure in both Judaism and Islam, the Cave of Machpelah building is shared by both the Jews and Muslims. On one side of the building is a synagogue and on the other side is a mosque. The tombs of the patriarchs are under the foundation of the building, but their memorial monuments are visible in the building on the first floor. Places of Interest 1. Cave of the Patriarchs (Machpelah) Jewish Synagogue Mosque Tombs of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs 2. Tel Hebron (Tel Rumeida) Abraham’s Well Ancient Stairs Tomb of Jesse and Ruth (King David’s father and great grandmother) Old Olive Trees Ancient Canaanite City Walls The Canaanite wall overlaid by a glacis from the Israelite period Walls and stone road from the time of Abraham Likely place of King David's Palace Four-room structure from the time of King Hezekiah Ancient Synagogue Stepped street from the Early Roman period Pottery workshop from the Early Roman period Eastern ritual bath from the Early Roman period Western ritual bath from the Early Roman period New Excavations Hebron Observatory 3. Oaks of Mamre (located within Hebron 1 mile or 1.5 km. north of the Cave of Machpelah) Hebron in the Bible 1. After God affirmed His covenant with Abraham, he built an altar to the Lord nearby at Mamre and lived here. Genesis 13:17–18: Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you.” 18 Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron , and there he built an altar to the Lord. 2. At Hebron, Abraham learned in a dream that his descendants would spend 400 years as slaves in Egypt. Genesis 15:12–14: Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. 13 God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. 14 But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward, they will come out with many possessions. 3. At Hebron, Ismael was born to Abraham and Sarah’s handmaid, Hagar (Gen. 16:4). 4. Near Hebron, God made a covenant with Abraham that he would be “the ancestor of a multitude of nations.” Genesis 17:1–8: When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” 5. At Hebron, Abraham offered hospitality to three servant angels of God and received the promise of a son. Genesis 18:10–14: They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 10 The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” 6. At Hebron, Abraham bought the Cave of Machpelah as a burial place for his wife, Sarah, and his family. Genesis 23:19: After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field at Machpelah facing Mamre (that is, Hebron ) in the land of Canaan. 7. Later, Abraham, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah would also be buried in the Cave of Machpelah. 8. Jacob returned to Hebron after he had sojourned in Paddan-aram. Genesis 35:27: Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre of Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron ), where Abraham and Isaac had sojourned. 9. Joseph was sent from Hebron to Shechem, where he would be sold into slavery and taken to Egypt. Genesis 37:14: Then he said to him, “Go now and see about the welfare of your brothers and the welfare of the flock, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron , and he came to Shechem. 10. Nearby to Hebron, two of the spies who researched the Promised Land returned with a large cluster of grapes. Numbers 13:21–23: So the men explored the land from the Desert of Zin to the border of Hamath. 22 They went through the Negev and came to Hebron , where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai lived. They are descendants of Anak. (Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 When they came to the Eshcol Valley, they cut off a branch with only one bunch of grapes on it. They carried it on a pole between two of them. 11. Hebron was given to Caleb as an inheritance for his faithfulness to the Lord. Joshua 14:13–14: So Joshua blessed him and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. 14 Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb, the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite until this day, because he followed the Lord God of Israel fully. 12. Samson carried the gates of Gaza 35 miles (55 km.) up to the mountain across from Hebron. Judges 16:1–3: But Samson lay till midnight, and at midnight he arose and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two posts, and pulled them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that is in front of Hebron . 13. David was anointed king in Hebron and reigned here for 7 1/2 years (2 Sam. 2:1–4, 11). Faith Lesson from Hebron 1. God confirmed His promises and covenants with Abraham at Hebron and fulfilled them all. Do we believe and embrace the promises of God? 2. Caleb was one of the faithful spies who received Hebron as a reward. Are we faithful like Caleb, and do we have our hope placed in our eternal home in heaven as our reward? 3. David was anointed king in Hebron because he was a person after God’s own heart. Do we love the Lord like David, and are we desiring to serve Him in significant ways as David did?

Nazareth is where Jesus grew up. Later, Jesus returned to His hometown and was rejected by His own people. They were so angry that He claimed to be the Messiah that they attempted to throw Him off a cliff. This cliff is known today as Mt. Precipice. Nazareth had an estimated population of around 300 during the time of Christ. It’s a famous town because this is where the Angel Gabriel announced the miraculous virgin birth to Mary. Nazareth: Mount Precipice Nazareth: Mount Precipice Location 1. Nazareth is in the northern part of Israel in the lower Galilee area. 2. It’s about 15 miles (24 km.) southwest of the Sea of Galilee, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km.) southwest of Cana, and about 23 miles (37 km.) inland from the Mediterranean Sea. Historical Background 1. Nazareth had an estimated population of around 300 during the time of Christ. 2. It’s a famous town because this is where the Angel Gabriel announced the miraculous virgin birth to Mary. 3. Nazareth is also the place where Jesus grew up. 4. It was a small farming town where everyone knew each other. 5. For some reason, Nazareth had a bad reputation (John 1:43-46). Places of Interest 1. Nazareth 2. Hometown of Jesus 3. Mt. Precipice 4. Church of the Annunciation (Basilica of the Annunciation) 5. Mary’s Well 6. Greek Catholic Church 7. Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation 8. St. Joseph’s Church 9. Mensa Christi Church 10. Greek Catholic Church 11. Synagogue Church Now, this synagogue where Jesus preached here in Nazareth still exists to this day. According to Christian tradition, the church is built on the ruins of the ancient Nazareth synagogue where Jesus studied, prayed, and then preached at in His visit here when they attempted to throw Him off the cliff. This synagogue is simply named today, “the Synagogue Church.” Ancient tradition maintains that this Synagogue Church stands atop the synagogue where Jesus worshipped as a young man. In fact, in A.D. 570, the anonymous northern Italian “Pilgrim of Piacenza” — the last western Christian writer to visit Palestine before the Muslim conquest that occurred less than a century later — claimed to have seen not only the ancient synagogue itself but the original Scriptures from which Jesus had read, as well as the bench on which Jesus used to sit as a young man. During Byzantine times, Christian believers started attending this place, and in Medieval times the synagogue was turned into a church. The church was later destroyed, but a stone structure marking the location of the first-century synagogue is still intact. Its floor is 6 feet lower than street level, and its roof is arched, a typical element in medieval architecture. A marble pillar next to its entrance is dated to the Roman period. This column is the only possible genuine remnant of the ancient synagogue. A raised platform in its northern end holds an altar. By local tradition, this is where Jesus read from Isaiah to the local congregation. The current “Synagogue Church” is a 12th-century Crusader structure located in the area of Nazareth’s medieval market, just a few minutes’ walk from the Church of the Annunciation and directly adjacent to the Greek Catholic Church of the Annunciation. The Synagogue Church is visited by just a fraction of those coming to see the Church of the Annunciation, perhaps because of its hidden location. The site is maintained by the Melkite Greek Catholics, who added an adjacent modern church which was completed in 1887. Nazareth In the Bible 1. Nazareth was the home of Joseph and Mary and the place where the angel Gabriel was sent to announce to the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of Christ the Messiah. There has been a church built here to commemorate this announcement called, “The Church of the Annunciation.” Luke 1:26-38 says, “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.” 2. After living in Egypt for some time after Christ’s birth, His parents returned to Nazareth where Jesus grew up. Matt. 2:19-23: “But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: "He shall be called a Nazarene." 3. Jesus lived Nazareth until He started His earthly ministry at the age of 30. From Nazareth, Christ relocated and set up His ministry home base in Capernaum. Matthew 4:13-17: “And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 4. Jesus was rejected by His own townspeople at Nazareth and was unable to perform many miracles there due to their lack of faith in Him. Luke 4:14-27 - And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself.' What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well." And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." 5. Those who knew Christ the best rejected Him and attempted to throw Him off a cliff close-by to their town. Today, this place is called, Mt. Precipice, named after this event. Luke 4:28-30: “When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away. Faith Lesson 1. Am I oftentimes misunderstood by my family and friends like Christ was? 2. I should love my family and friends, but if they don’t understand my commitment to Christ, I shouldn’t allow them to negatively affect my relationship with Christ and be discouraged. Jesus said we must love Him more than our closest relationships. 3. Do I love Christ more than my family and friends? In Matt. 10:37 Christ said, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

Pilate's Palace, also known as Pilate's Praetorium, or the Governor's Headquarters, is the place where Jesus was tried by Pilate and condemned to crucifixion on a cross. Trial of Jesus: Herod/Pilate's Palace Photo Gallery Places of Interest Trial of Jesus: Herod/Pilate's Palace Introduction Welcome to this site of Herod's Palace. This is an incredible place to experience and explore. 1. It was used by all succeeding governors and leaders when they resided in Jerusalem. It was a massive fortified complex and likely had a cohort of 500 soldiers. 2. It is the best candidate for where the trial of Jesus took place. 3. In the 1970s, all along the western wall of Jerusalem was buried. 4. Notice the change in color of the wall. Partway up, it turns darker. This is the dirt line where it was covered. 5. When this was all excavated, they absolutely uncovered a gold mine, archaeologically speaking. Why? Because we have everything biblically and everything archaeologically that perfectly matches where the trial of Jesus took place. 6. We're going to explore and show you all about this right here. 7. Here are the highlights of what we'll see. Gate Entrance to Pilate’s Palace Steps Leading Up to the Gate Entrance to Pilate's Palace Preserved Stone Pavement Preserved Wall of Herod the Great Bema Seat – Judgment Seat Bema Seat Stone Additional Level with Stone Pavement 8. Afterward, we'll relive and experience from the Bible what happened here. 9. Let's explore and experience this site. Location 1. John 18:28–29: “Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium [governor's headquarters, ESV; palace of the Roman governor, NIV], and it was early; and they themselves did not enter the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29 Therefore Pilate came out to them and said, “What accusation are you bringing against this Man?” 2. The words praetorium, governor's headquarters, and palace all refer to the same location. These same words describe where the Apostle Paul was kept in custody at Herod's Palace or Praetorium (Acts 23:35). The best translation seems to be "palace." 3. Where was Pilate's Palace, also known as Pilate’s Praetorium or headquarters, located? Some believe it was located at the Antonia Fortress. I once thought this as well. However, after conducting extensive research and considering the archaeological evidence, I now believe the best option is Pilate’s Palace, situated just south of the Jaffa Gate. Pilate’s Palace was first built and used by King Herod, and later, it was used by Pilate and other Roman governors. 4. Herod's Palace Fortress in Jerusalem is located adjacent to the western city wall of Old Jerusalem, which now encompasses the Armenian Quarter. It begins at the Kishle building and ends at the present line of the modern (Ottoman period) wall west of Zion Gate. It consisted mainly of two north and south palace wings and had a large garden in the middle of the two ends. In the area of the Citadel of David and Jaffa Gate, just north of Pilate’s Palace, Herod erected three massive towers for additional protection in case of impending danger. It should be mentioned that Pilate’s Palace was, at first, Herod’s Palace. 5. In the 1970s, the western wall of the city was excavated from the Jaffa Gate to the northwest corner. This particular area was overseen by Magen Broshi and Shimon Gibson. The excavation line can be seen in the wall today by noting where it turns darker. This darker part was covered by dirt until it was unearthed. 6. If the location of the trial of Jesus took place at Pilate's Palace, then the location of the Via Dolorosa would be different from what it is today. You can see in the Google map above where the likely route could have been. This route would have led Jesus outside the city walls to Calvary (modern-day Church of the Holy Sepulchre). This route is highly likely, as the Romans subjected their criminals to the utmost humiliation to deter others from committing the same offenses. Of course, in the case of Christ, He was entirely innocent, and the Jews and the Romans were the actual criminals. Historical Background 1. Herod's Palace at Jerusalem was built in the last quarter of the 1st century BC by Herod the Great, King of Judea from 37 to 4 BC. It was Jerusalem's second most important building after the Temple itself. 2. Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea, appointed by the emperor of Rome. He lived in Caesarea, the capital of the Roman province of Judea, but when he was in Jerusalem, he resided at Herod’s Palace, which served as the praetorium, or governor’s palace. 3. As mentioned, some believe Pilate’s Palace was in the Antonia Fortress. This belief appears to be based on the notion that the Roman governor would have resided within the barracks of the Antonia Fortress. However, this is an incorrect understanding of the geography and topography of the crucifixion account. Underneath the Antonia Fortress is found a Roman-period stone pavement that was found in the structure and associated with the “stone pavement” at the Praetorium mentioned in the Trial of Jesus story in John 19:13. However, the pavement in the Antonia Fortress is from the 2nd century AD, when the Roman emperor, Hadrian, rebuilt much of Jerusalem. Ancient sources and accounts, such as Josephus and Philo, relate that the Praetorium of Jerusalem was the former palace of Herod the Great. At the Praetorium, Jesus was standing on the “Pavement” while Pilate took his place at the bema or “judgment seat” (John 19:8-13). 4. According to reliable sources, the governor’s residence in Jerusalem was the complex of the former palace of Herod the Great, which was located on the western side of the current Old City of Jerusalem. Josephus related that the Roman governor, Florus, took up residence in Jerusalem at the former palace of Herod the Great, where the bema was located. Philo also indicated that the Praetorium was located in Herod's palace, as Pilate had initially installed the golden shields for Tiberius. The Gospel of Mark records that at the trial of Jesus, the Roman soldiers took Jesus into the palace, which is the Praetorium (Mark 15:16). 5. Because of archaeological excavations, the Praetorium, its pavement, the bema, or judgment seat, and one of the gates can be seen today. These provide a historical context to the trial of Jesus and demonstrate the accuracy of the Gospel stories of this event. 6. Excavations dating from 1999–2000 underneath an abandoned Ottoman-period prison known as the Kishle, which is part of the Tower of David complex, Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Amit Re’em uncovered the foundation walls and sewage system of Herod’s Palace in Jerusalem. Tours can be taken via the Tower of David Museum, which will showcase these findings. 7. Jewish historian Josephus tells us that Herod’s Palace Complex in Jerusalem was built in the last quarter of the first century BC and comprised a palace with two wings divided by pools and gardens. It was protected by three large towers on the northwestern corner of the complex. Excavations conducted by various archaeological teams since the 1960s have uncovered remains of the palace foundations. However, very little of the actual walls and buildings has been found. This presents no problem and can easily be accounted for due to the many destructions of Jerusalem over the centuries. 8. Using a similar construction style as Herod’s Temple, Herod's Palace was constructed on an elevated platform of retaining walls rising 13 to 16 feet (4.5 m) above ground level. Its measurements consisted of about 1,000 feet long (304 m) running north and south by 180 feet wide (56 m) running east to west. As mentioned, it consisted of two main buildings, each with its own banquet halls, baths, and accommodations for hundreds of guests. The two wings were named after Agrippa and Caesar. In the center of the palace were gardens with porticoes, statues, idols, and so forth. The grounds included groves, canals, and ponds fitted with bronze fountains. After Herod's death, the praetorium at the palace became the official residence of the Roman governors when they visited Jerusalem during major Jewish festivals. For this reason, this site was most likely where Pontius Pilate resided and where the trial of Jesus took place. 9. Besides a Roman cohort (about 400–500) of soldiers stationed at the Antonia Fortress, many Roman soldiers were stationed at Pilate’s Palace Complex. There were also Roman soldier encampments around the city when needed. 10. There was a gate leading out of the Palace Complex on the western side for security purposes. This gate also served as an escape route that Herod and others would have used if the palace were attacked from within. In this area, Simon of Cyrene, arriving from the open country, was obligated to carry the cross of Christ. There was no open country access around the Antonia Fortress, so this is another big piece of evidence that Pilate’s Palace is the actual site of Jesus' trial. Eyewitness Accounts Stating This Was Herod's Palace, Later Used by Pontius Pilate 1. Josephus wrote, "Adjoining and on the inner side of these towers, which lay to the north of it, was the king's (Herod's) Palace ." The towers refer to those on the northern side of the palace built by Herod the Great for protection purposes. 2. Philo, a Jewish philosopher born in 25 BC, says, "Pilate was appointed governor of Judea. He dedicated some guilt shields in the Palace of Herod , in the holy city." This statement connects Pilate to Herod's Palace. This means that the succeeding governors would also use Herod's Palace as their headquarters. This would make sense as it was a fortress surrounded by walls, housing many soldiers. 3. Additionally, during the Byzantine Period (330 - 602 AD), this place was commemorated as the site where Jesus stood trial before Pilate. This tradition was likely built upon the belief of earlier Christians who knew the location of the trial of Jesus. This is strong evidence indicating this is the authentic site. Places of Interest 1. Herod-Pilate's Palace Complex Palace Courtyard Soldier Barracks Stone Walls from the Time of Jesus 2. Dirt Level Before Excavation of This Site In the 1970s, the city's western wall was excavated from the Jaffa Gate to the northwest corner. 3. Open Country Simon of Cyrene is obligated to carry Christ's cross. He is coming from outside the city when this takes place. Luke 23:26: And when they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, as he was coming in from the country , and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. 4. Gate Entrance to Pilate’s Palace 5. Steps Leading Up to the Gate Entrance to Pilate's Palace 6. Preserved Stone Pavement John 19:13: Therefore, when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out , and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement —but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 7. Preserved Wall of Herod the Great 8. Bema Seat – Judgment Seat John 19:13: Therefore, when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out , and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement—but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 9. Bema Seat Stone 10. Additional Level with Stone Pavement 11. Jaffa Gate 12. Citadel of David 13. Three Towers Herod Erected 14. House of Caiaphas 15. Likely Route of the True Via Dolorosa 16. Golgotha ~ Church of the Holy Sepulchre Herod~Pilate's Palace in the Bible 1. The Wise Men from the East came here before King Herod to inquire where the Messiah was to be born. Matthew 2:1-4: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 2. Jesus was brought before Pilate outside Pilate's Palace by the Jewish leaders. John 18:28–29: Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium [governor's headquarters, ESV; the palace of the Roman governor, NIV], and it was early; and they themselves did not enter the Praetorium , so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29 Therefore Pilate came out to them and said, "What accusation are you bringing against this Man?" 3. The Jewish leaders seek the death penalty for Jesus by crucifixion. John 18:30-31: They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not a criminal, we would not have handed Him over to you." 31 So Pilate said to them, "Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law." The Jews said to him, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death." 32 This happened so that the word of Jesus which He said, indicating what kind of death He was going to die, would be fulfilled." 4. Pilate talks with Jesus inside his palace. John 18:33: Therefore Pilate entered the Praetorium again, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, "You are the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered, "Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you about Me?" 5. Pilate comes outside his palace and speaks again with the Jewish leaders. John 18:38: And after saying this, he came out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no grounds at all for charges in His case. 6. Pilate has Jesus flogged inside his palace. John 19:1–3: So Pilate then took Jesus and had Him flogged. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and placed it on His head, and put a purple cloak on Him; 3 and they repeatedly came up to Him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapped Him in the face again and again. 7. Pilate comes out again with Jesus to the Jewish leaders after flogging Jesus. John 19:4–7: And then Pilate came out again and said to them, "See, I am bringing Him out to you so that you will know that I find no grounds at all for charges in His case." 5 Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold, the Man!" 6 So when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they shouted, saying, "Crucify, crucify!" Pilate said to them, "Take Him yourselves and crucify Him; for I find no grounds for charges in His case!" 7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law He ought to die, because He made Himself out to be the Son of God!" 8. Pilate goes back inside his palace and speaks with Jesus again. John 19:8–12: Therefore, when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; 9 and he entered the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to Him, "Are you not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" 11 Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you from above; for this reason, the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin." 12 As a result of this, Pilate made efforts to release Him; but the Jews shouted, saying, "If you release this Man, you are not a friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar!" 9. Pilate comes out again with Jesus and speaks to the Jewish Leaders. John 19:13: Therefore, when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out , and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement—but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 10. Simon of Cyrene is obligated to carry Christ's cross. He is coming from outside the city when this takes place. Luke 23:26: And when they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, as he was coming in from the country , and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. Faith Lesson from Herod-Pilate's Palace 1. The Jewish leaders were responsible for crucifying Christ because they were jealous of him. They were filled with selfish ambition and cared more about themselves than about God. Are we guided and motivated by jealousy and envy? Are we more concerned about our own kingdom than the Kingdom of God? 2. Pilate had supernatural warnings from God and knew that what he was doing was wrong. However, he chose to obey the pressure of people rather than choosing the fear of the Lord. What about us? Do we often do the same and yield to the pressure of others rather than do what is right? 3. Christ willingly went to the Cross, knowing that He had come into the world for this purpose. Have we received His gift of salvation by grace through faith?

See a detailed timeline of Israel's history from its beginning until now. No stone is left unturned. Great for understanding the basic periods in Israel's history. Videos, books, talks, maps, and more. Learn about its walls, gates, people, language, and more. Timeline of Israel's History Israel's History The importance of understanding Israel's historical periods. The Holy Land is an ancient place, one of the oldest in the world. While in the Holy Land, you’ll be seeing things as old as 6,000 years. That’s old! Different periods of history will be referred to when describing Israel’s holy sites and places. Please note that there will likely be several key events that have taken place at a particular site. Each event will have happened during a specific period in Israel’s history. If you can understand the different periods a little, you’ll get much more out of your experience. Chronology of Time Used by Archaeologists and Historians Early Bronze Age 4000–2000 BC Middle Bronze Age 2000–1500 BC Late Bronze Age 1500–1200 BC Iron 1 Age 1200–1000 BC Iron 2 Age 1000–586 BC Canaanite Period 4000–1875 BC 4000 BC – Canaanites inhabit the land of Israel. 2500 BC – Noah and the Great Flood. 2100 BC – Tower of Babel 2091 BC – Abraham moves to the land of Canaan from Ur of the Chaldeans. 1875 BC – Jacob and his family move to Egypt to live with Joseph. Israelite Period 1450–970 BC 1446 BC – Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. 1406 BC – Nation of Israel enters the Promised Land. 1043 BC – King Saul becomes the first king of Israel. 1010 – 970 BC – King David's reign. First Temple Period 970–586 BC 970–931 BC – King Solomon’s reign. Golden years of the Kingdom of Israel. 959 BC – Solomon completes the magnificent temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem (the same place Abraham intended to sacrifice Isaac). 931 BC – The Kingdom of Israel divides because of Solomon’s sins. Jeroboam reigns over the northern Kingdom of Israel from Samaria. Rehoboam reigns over the southern Kingdom of Israel from Jerusalem. 722 BC – Assyrians conquer and deport most of the northern Kingdom of Israel to Assyria. 586 BC – Babylonians conquer Jerusalem and Judah under Nebuchadnezzar and deport most of the southern Kingdom of Judah to Babylon. Second Temple Period 538–444 BC 537 BC – Many Jews return from Babylon; the rebuilding of the Second Temple begins under the leadership of Zerubbabel. 515 BC – Completion and Dedication of the Temple 458 BC – Ezra returns to Jerusalem with a second wave of Jews and teaches all Israelites about the Bible. 444 BC – Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls. Hellenistic Period (Greek Rule) 333–167 BC 333 BC – Alexander the Great defeats the Persian Empire and sets out to conquer the world. After his sudden death in 323 BC, the Greek Empire was divided into several successor states. During this period, the Bible was translated into Greek (the Septuagint). Hasmonean Period (Maccabean Rule) 167–63 BC 167 BC – When the Jews were prohibited from practicing Judaism, and their temple was desecrated as part of an effort to impose Greek-oriented culture and customs on the entire population, the Jews revolted. First led by Mattathias of the priestly Hasmonean family and then by his son Judah the Maccabee, the Jews subsequently entered Jerusalem and purified the temple. This purification of the temple is commemorated by the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah (164 BC). Roman Period (Roman Rule) 63 BC–31 3 AD 63 BC – Roman general Pompey captures Jerusalem. 37 BC–4 BC – Herod, Roman vassal king, rules the Land of Israel. He enlarges the Temple Mount and rebuilds the temple. He also builds other monumental projects, including Caesarea, Herodian, Cave of the Patriarchs, and Masada. 4 BC – Jesus is born in Bethlehem. 27–30 AD – Ministry of Jesus. 30 AD – Jesus crucified. 66 AD – Jewish revolt against the Romans. 70 AD – Destruction of Jerusalem and Second Temple. 74 AD – Fall of Masada. 132 AD – Bar Kokhba Revolt. Roman Emperor Hadrian destroyed Jerusalem, rebuilt it, and named it Aelia (the emperor’s family name) Capitolina (cult of the Capitoline Triad, Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva), a pagan city. Many holy sites were preserved, but they also contained pagan shrines. He also renamed the country of Israel to Palestine, a name derived from the Philistines. Hadrian did this in an attempt to remove any association the Jews had with their land. Byzantine Period (Eastern Roman Empire Rule in Israel) 313–614 AD The word Byzantine refers to the period of time between when the Roman emperor Constantine I relocated his empire in 330 AD from Rome to Byzantium, which is modern-day Istanbul, and ending in 1453 AD with the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire lasted more than 1,000 years, but it only controlled Israel for about 300 years. In 638 AD, Muslims took over the Holy Land. After that, many churches and monasteries were destroyed by the Persians or Muslims, and most of them weren’t rebuilt until the Catholic Crusaders came in 1095 AD. 313 – Emperor Constantine recognized Christianity (Edict of Milan). He later converted to Christianity. 326 – Constantine’s mother, Helena, goes to the Holy Land and builds many churches and basilicas on holy sites. 380 AD – Edict of Thessalonica declared that Christianity was the only official religion of the Roman Empire. Persian Period 614–628 AD 614 – Persian conquest of the Holy Land. Many churches and monasteries were destroyed. 628 – Holy Land recaptured by the Byzantines. Muslim/Arab Period 638–1099 AD 638 – Muslim/Arab conquest of the Holy Land completed. The rule originated from Damascus, then Baghdad, and subsequently from Egypt. 691 – Where the First and Second Temples were located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock was built by Caliph Abd el-Malik. 1009 AD – A n Egyptian Muslim Caliph named Al-Hakim destroyed many of the Christian buildings in the Holy Land, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Crusader Period 1099–1291 AD 1099 – In response to the destruction of many churches in the Holy Land by the Muslims in 1009 AD, the Crusaders (Catholic armies from Rome) conquered Jerusalem and many parts of Israel. 1147 – Second Crusade arrives in the Holy Land. 1187 – Destruction of the Crusader army by Muslim leader Saladin. The collapse of the Crusader Kingdom begins. 1265 – Mamelukes, led by Sultan Beybars, conquer the Holy Land. 1270 – Final Crusade arrives, and all its participants are massacred. 1291 – The Last Crusader stronghold of Acco was taken, ending Crusader rule. Mamluk (Muslim) Period 1291–1517 AD 1291 – Mamluk rule begins. 1333 – Franciscan Order established in Jerusalem. Its members care for holy places and pilgrims. By the end of the Middle Ages, the country’s urban centers were virtually in ruins, most of Jerusalem was abandoned, and the small Jewish community was poverty-stricken. Political and economic upheavals, plagues, locust invasions, and devastating earthquakes darkened the period of Mamluk decline. Ottoman (Muslim) Period 1517–1917 AD 1517 – Following the Ottoman conquest in 1517, the land was divided into four districts and administratively attached to the province of Damascus, with rule from Istanbul. 1520 – Suleiman the Magnificent rebuilds the city walls of Jerusalem. 1799 – Napoleon Bonaparte invades Israel but fails to capture it and is forced to leave. 1860 – The first neighborhood, Mishkenot Sha'ananim, is built outside of Jerusalem’s city walls. 1882 – First large-scale immigration to Israel, mainly from Russia. 1904 – Second large-scale immigration from Russia and Poland. British Period 1917–1948 AD 1917 – British Foreign Minister Lord Balfour issued on November 2, 1917, the so-called Balfour Declaration, which gave official support for the “establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people” with the commitment not to be prejudiced against the rights of the non-Jewish communities. 1947 – The United Nations approved the partition of Israel into separate Jewish and Arab states on November 29, 1947. State of Israel Period 1948 to Present 1948 – On the day when the British Mandate in Palestine expired, the State of Israel was instituted on May 14, 1948, by the Jewish National Council under the presidency of David Ben Gurion. 1948–1949 – The Arab-Israeli War; the Arabs refused to accept the newly established State of Israel. Egypt, Syria, Transjordan, Lebanon, and Iraq attacked Israel, but within a year, Israel defeated its attackers. 1950 – Western Jerusalem was proclaimed the capital city of Israel on January 23, 1950. 1956 – The Suez Crisis: Israelis invaded Egyptian territory in October 1956. 1956 – After Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the company that administered the Suez Canal, a joint attack by the French and British was launched. Egypt suffered a military disaster on November 2, 1956. Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula, but after international condemnation, Israel was forced to withdraw. 1967 – Six-Day War: after Egypt closed the Straits of Tiran on May 22, 1967, Israel launched an attack on Egyptian, Jordanian, Syrian, and Iraqi airports on June 5, 1967. After six days, Israel conquered Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, Sinai, and the West Bank. 1973 – Yom Kippur War: On October 6, 1973, on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, Syria and Egypt launched a surprise attack against Israel. After the initial success of the attackers, Israel managed to cross the Suez into Egypt and encircle Cairo. Following the intervention of the USA and the Soviet Union, military operations concluded on October 25, 1973. 1978 – The Camp David Accords were signed by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anvar Sadat in September 1978, at Camp David, USA. Israel agreed to withdraw from the occupied Sinai Peninsula. 1979 – The Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty was signed on March 26, 1979, in Washington.

The biblical account of the calling of at least 6 of the 12 disciples occurred on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee because it was the area where most of the fishing was done, and the fishing towns were located. See the places and hear the story where Christ called some of the 12 disciples. Sites of interest include: Northern Shore of the Sea of Galilee, Gennesaret, Magdala, Tabgha, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Sea of Galilee, Filmed in Israel along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Calling of the Disciples Photo Gallery Places of Interest Calling of the Disciples Introduction Welcome to the approximate location where Jesus called several of the disciples. This is a significant event from the Bible. These are the highlights. 1. Scripture says that Jesus called Peter, James, and John while they were washing their fishing nets. This would be done in a flat, gradual area. This location is one of the few on the Sea of Galilee where this could have been done. 2. This area is also where much of the fishing was done as it had springs of water flowing into the sea. 3. We also know that all of the disciples were from the Galilee area (Acts 1:11). 4. The area of Tabgha is also the traditional place where Jesus restored Peter after he had denied Jesus three times in Jerusalem, just before His crucifixion. Location The biblical account of the calling of at least 6 of the 12 disciples likely occurred on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee because it was the area where most of the fishing was done, and the fishing towns were located. Historical Background 1. While the Bible clearly mentions that 6 of the 12 disciples were from the Sea of Galilee, it is possible more were from this area as well. 2. Acts 1:11: At Christ's ascension into heaven, the angels said to the disciples standing there, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?" While the text doesn’t specify the exact location, it does tell us that all the disciples were from the Galilee area. Places of Interest 1. Northern Shore of the Sea of Galilee 2. Most likely place several of the disciples were called 3. Gennesaret 4. Magdala 5. Tabgha 6. Capernaum 7. Bethsaida 8. Sea of Galilee Calling of the Disciples in the Bible 1. The biblical narrative suggests that Jesus had several contacts with some of the disciples before His final call on them to leave everything and follow Him. John 1:35–44: The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, "What are you seeking?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" 39 He said to them, "Come and you will see." So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter). 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 2. In the following passage, we see what appears to be a final contact with some of the disciples before Jesus’ last call on them to follow Him in full-time ministry. Luke 5:1–11: On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish , and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. 3. The calling of Matthew, the tax collector. Matthew 9:9: As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.” From Matthew 9:1 we see that the calling of Matthew was close to Capernaum which is on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Faith Lesson from the Calling of the Disciples 1. When God calls us to salvation, or a certain calling or task, sometimes this might involve a process and have several confirmations. Are you genuinely saved, or is there some special calling you are sensing from the Lord? 2. God wants our full devotion and obedience. He doesn’t want us to add Him onto our lives and make Him an accessory that we go to just when we need help. God refuses to be an ATM. Do I follow Jesus for His blessings only, or am I willing to deny myself and suffer for Him as well? 3. God calls us to be His disciples and devote our entire life to Him. Luke 14:25–33: Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 33 So, therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. 4. Am I willing to love Christ and follow Him regardless of the cost? 5. Compared to my love for Christ, all other relationships should fade. The contrast here is that compared to my love for Christ, all other relationships would be like hate. Do all my relationships appear as hate in comparison to my love for Christ? 6. Christ said that there would be a great falling away from the faith in the last days, and there would be many false teachers. Unfortunately, in many churches today, a soft version of the gospel is proclaimed. They neglect to emphasize repentance, the judgments of God, the true cost of discipleship, service, and sacrifice. Instead, there is an overemphasis on the blessings of God and how He exists to serve our needs and make us happy rather than us serving Him and finding true joy in our devotion to Him. This soft gospel will likely lead to the great apostasy mentioned in Scripture. 7. Am I growing deeper in my knowledge of God’s Word so I don’t fall into the many traps that will lead to the great apostasy of the last days?