Archaeologists have uncovered fortifications either side of of the gate, which they say would have made it a formidable place to attack
Posted on 08/06/2015 2:51:39 PM PDT by NYer
The gate of Gath, believed to be the home of the giant Goliath, has been discovered by archaeologists. I love this kind of story because I love it when the Bible is shown to have historical accuracies.
You might recall:
The Philistines occupied the high ground on one side and the Israelites occupied the high ground on the other side, with the valley between them.
A champion stepped out from the Philistine ranks; his name was Goliath, from Gath; he was six cubits and one span tall.
On his head was a bronze helmet and he wore a breastplate of scale-armour; the breastplate weighed five thousand shekels of bronze.
He had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze scimitar slung across his shoulders.
The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron. A shield-bearer walked in front of him.
David pondered on these words and became very frightened of Achish king of Gath.So now, archaeologists said they have found the "gate of Gath." It's kind of a big deal.
When their eyes were on him, he played the madman and, when they held him, he feigned lunacy. He drummed his feet on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard.
Archaeologists have uncovered fortifications either side of of the gate, which they say would have made it a formidable place to attack
There is just one reference to the gate of Gath in the book of Samuel in the Hebrew Bible.
It depicts the story of David fleeing from King Saul, who has tried to have him killed.
It reads: 'David rose and fled that day from Saul; he went to King Achish of Gath.
'The servants of Achish said to him, 'Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another of him in dances, 'Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?'
'David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of King Achish of Gath.
'So he changed his behavior before them; he pretended to be mad when in their presence. He scratched marks on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle run down his beard.
'Achish said to his servants, 'Look, you see the man is mad; why then have you brought him to me?
''Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?'''
Ping!
Never bet against the Bible. You will lose.
This, sir, is the finger of God....
Isn’t this the same gate that Samson carried away?
Where is the gate? I can’t see anything in that picture that resembles a gate. I do see what looks like maybe rooms of some sort, but gate?
That was the gate of Gaza, another Philistine city.
I’m wondering if these were in fact, pits, that Goliath was kept there to protest the people. The gate might have been a barred lid that opened.
I just can't make heads or tails of what I am looking at, I see no evidence of a Gate. Sure wish someone could simply draw a circle around the evidence.
This is exciting, but I just wish I knew where the gate is, all I see is level and hillside ground with some pits as you call them. GATE?
If my memory is working a cubit is 18 inches and a span about 6 This would make Goliath about 9’6” tall Big guy
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