Day 01 - Shephelah: Yad Hashmonah, Beth Shemesh, Azekah, Beth Guvrin (Maresha)

We visited Kiriath-Jearim (Forest town) High in the Judean Mountains, and learned that a garden in Israel isn’t like ours in the states. For the Israelite people, a garden was only for resources that were useful for the people.  Kiriath-Jearim had lots of herbs, grapes, olives and other edible things grown in its garden.

This was also the place that that the Ark of the Covenant was placed before it was taken to Jerusalem by King David. (See 1 Samuel 6:21)

It was so surreal to be standing in a place where the Ark of the Covenant once stood, and I know that this will not be the only time on this tour that we will be standing in one of those places.

We also visited Beth Shemesh (House of Sun).  Judges 13-16 speak about Samson and his time as the judge of Israel.  This is the sight Between Zorah and Eshtaol that is thought to be where Samson brought down the temple on himself and on the 3000 Philistines. Even though Samson was not a hero for Israel, God still used him in a mighty way to demonstrate His power and purpose for the people and nation of Israel.

My favorite place that we visited today was Azekah. This was the tall hill overlooking the valley where the Philistines stood and taunted the Israelites with their giant champion Goliath. It was also a place that David, a young boy, would act as a king for a king who acted like a boy.  This was an amazing sight and a place that I will never soon forget.

The last place we visited was a hidden town that was built underground Maresha. This place was amazing. You would never guess it was there. All you see in gardens, but underneath there were 27 different businesses, houses, presses and cisterns. The scope cannot be explained.  It was massive and a huge resource for the people to hide from their oppressors.