Reference: Gath
American
A city of the Philistines, and one of their five principalities, 1Sa 5:8; 6:17. It was a notable city, in the border of the Philistines nearest to Jerusalem; but its site has long been lost. It was the home of Goliath, 1Sa 17:4. Compare Jos 11:22; 2Sa 21:19-22. Here David sought a refuge form Saul, 1Sa 21:10; 27:2-7. It came under his power in the beginning of his reign over all Israel, 1Ch 18:1, and continued subject to his successors till the declension of the kingdom of Judah. Rehoboam rebuilt or fortified it, 2Ch 11:8. It was afterwards recovered by the Philistines, but Uzziah reconquered it, 2Ch 26:6. Its inhabitants were called Gittites, Jos 13:3; and David had tow of them in his service, who faithfully adhered to him during the rebellion of Absalom, 2Sa 15:18-22.
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None of the Anakim remained in the land belonging to the Israelis they remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.
from the Shihor east of Egypt as far as the border of Ekron on the north (which is considered part of Canaan). This includes the five rulers of the Philistines, the Gazites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, the Ekronites, and the Avvites.
They sent messengers and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and asked, "What are we to do with the Ark of the God of Israel?" They said, "Let the Ark of the God of Israel move to Gath." So they moved the Ark of the God of Israel.
These are the gold tumors that the Philistines returned as a guilt offering to the LORD: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, and one for Ekron.
A champion named Goliath from Gath came out from the Philistine camp. He was four cubits and a span tall,
So David got up, and he and the 600 men who were with him went to Maoch's son Achish, the king of Gath. David stayed with Achish in Gath along with his men, each of whom was with his household. David had his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, who had been the wife of Nabal of Carmel. read more. Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, and he did not continue to search for him. David told Achish, "If it pleases you, give me a place in one of the outlying towns, so I may live there. Why should your servant live with you in the royal city?" So that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and therefore, Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah until the present time. David lived in Philistine territory for a year and four months.
All of his staff were going on ahead of him that is, all of the special forces and mercenaries, all of the Gittites, and 600 men who had come to serve him from Gath, went on ahead of the king. Then the king suggested to Ittai the Gittite, "Why should you have to go with us? Return and stay with the new king, since you're a foreigner and exile. Stay where you want to stay. read more. It seems only yesterday that you arrived, so should I make you wander around with us while I go wherever I can? Go back, and take your brothers with you. May gracious love and truth accompany you!" "As the LORD lives," Ittai answered in reply, "and as your majesty the king lives, wherever your majesty my king may be whether living or dying that's where your servant will be!" So David replied, "Come along, then!" So Ittai the Gittite went along also, accompanied by all of his men and all of his little ones.
After this, David defeated and subdued the Philistines, and then took possession of Gath and its towns from Philistine control.
One time Uzziah went out and battled the Philistines. He tore down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod, and built cities in the Ashdod area among the Philistines.
Easton
a wine-vat, one of the five royal cities of the Philistines (Jos 13:3) on which the ark brought calamity (1Sa 5:8-9; 6:17). It was famous also as being the birthplace or residence of Goliath (1Sa 17:4). David fled from Saul to Achish, king of Gath (1Sa 21:10; 27:2-4; Ps 56), and his connection with it will account for the words in 2Sa 1:20. It was afterwards conquered by David (2Sa 8:1). It occupied a strong position on the borders of Judah and Philistia (1Sa 21:10; 1Ch 18:1). Its site has been identified with the hill called Tell esSafieh, the Alba Specula of the Middle Ages, which rises 695 feet above the plain on its east edge. It is noticed on monuments about B.C. 1500. (See Metheg-ammah.)
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from the Shihor east of Egypt as far as the border of Ekron on the north (which is considered part of Canaan). This includes the five rulers of the Philistines, the Gazites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, the Ekronites, and the Avvites.
They sent messengers and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and asked, "What are we to do with the Ark of the God of Israel?" They said, "Let the Ark of the God of Israel move to Gath." So they moved the Ark of the God of Israel. After they moved it, the LORD moved against the town, causing a very great panic. He struck the men of the town, from young to old with tumors of the groin.
These are the gold tumors that the Philistines returned as a guilt offering to the LORD: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, and one for Ekron.
A champion named Goliath from Gath came out from the Philistine camp. He was four cubits and a span tall,
So David got up, and he and the 600 men who were with him went to Maoch's son Achish, the king of Gath. David stayed with Achish in Gath along with his men, each of whom was with his household. David had his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, who had been the wife of Nabal of Carmel. read more. Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, and he did not continue to search for him.
Don't make it known in Gath! Don't declare it in the avenues of Ashkelon! Otherwise, the daughters of Philistia will rejoice; and the daughters of the uncircumcised will triumph.
Sometime later, David defeated and subdued the Philistines, taking Metheg-ammah away from the Philistines.
Fausets
("a winepress"), Gath being in a vine-abounding country. One of the five great Philistine cities (Jos 13:3; 1Sa 6:17). Goliath's abode (1 Samuel 17). Its people were the "Gittites," of whom was David's devotedly loyal friend Ittai (2Sa 15:19-22). In undesigned coincidence with the presence of giants in Gath, according to 1 Samuel 17; 2Sa 21:19-22, is Jos 11:22; "only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod there remained Anakims." Gath was one of the five cities to which the Philistines carried about the ark of God (the five formed one political unity), and thereby brought on the people God's heavy visitation with emerods. It was' represented by one of the five golden emerods and five golden inlet sent to propitiate Jehovah (1Sa 5:9; 6:4-5,10-18).
David there reigned madness to save his life; a second time he visited king Achish, and had Ziklag assigned to him as a residence (1Sa 21:10-15; 27:12). Thence he attached and drew after him 600 Gittite followers, with Ittai their chief (2Sa 15:18); probably some at the time of his sojourn in Gath, and most when he smote and subdued the Philistines (2Sa 8:1). Though tributary to Israel, Gath still retained its own king (1Ki 2:46). Hazael fought against it and took it (2Ki 12:17). Uzziah gave a heavy blow to Gath, breaking down its wall (2Ch 26:6; Am 6:2). "Hamath ... Gath, be they better than these kingdoms?" Gath, once "better (stronger) than" Israel and Judah, fell; how vain then is your confidence in the strength of mounts Zion and Samaria!
In Am 1:6, etc., Zep 2:4-5; Zec 9:5-6, Gath is omitted; probably it had lost by that time its place among the five primary cities. Hezekiah, after Uzziah, conquered Philistia (2Ki 18:8; Isa 14:29-32). Tell es Safieh occupies the site of Gath, which lay on the border between Judah and Philistia, between Shocoh and Ekron (1Sa 17:1,52). Saul came down from the hills by the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, which passes near Shocoh, and encountered the Philistines near the bend in the valley. Saul was on the E. of the valley, the Philistines on the W., as they came from the W. Gath was from its strength often alternately in the hands of Judah and of Philistia (2Ch 11:8). It lay on a hill at the foot of Judah's mountains, ten miles E. of Ashdod, and ten S.E. of Ekron.
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None of the Anakim remained in the land belonging to the Israelis they remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.
from the Shihor east of Egypt as far as the border of Ekron on the north (which is considered part of Canaan). This includes the five rulers of the Philistines, the Gazites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, the Ekronites, and the Avvites.
After they moved it, the LORD moved against the town, causing a very great panic. He struck the men of the town, from young to old with tumors of the groin.
They asked, "What is the guilt offering that we should send back to him?" "Five gold tumors and five gold mice," they answered, "according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, since the same plague was on all of you and on your lords. Make images of your tumors and images of the mice that are destroying your land, and you are to give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will remove his pressure from you, your gods, and your land.
The men did this. They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and penned up their calves in the house. They put the Ark of the LORD, the box, the gold mice, and the images of their tumors on the cart. read more. The cows took a straight path along the road to Beth-shemesh. They stayed on the highway, lowing as they went, and did not turn to the right or the left. The Philistine lords followed them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh. Now the people of Beth-shemesh were gathering their wheat harvest in the valley. They looked up, saw the Ark, and rejoiced to see it. The cart came to the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh, and stopped there. In that place there was a large stone. They broke up the wood from the cart, and offered up the cows as a burnt offering to the LORD. The descendants of Levi took down the Ark of the LORD, along with the box that was with it, containing the objects of gold, and they put them on the large stone. The men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the LORD that day. When the five Philistine lords saw this, they returned to Ekron that very day. These are the gold tumors that the Philistines returned as a guilt offering to the LORD: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, and one for Ekron. The gold mice represented the number of all the Philistine towns belonging to the five lords, both fortified towns and unwalled villages. The large stone, beside which they put the Ark of the LORD, is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh.
The Philistines assembled their army for battle. They were assembled at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.
The men of Israel and Judah got up with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance to the valley and to the gates of Ekron. Wounded Philistines fell along the way to Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron.
David got up that day and fled from Saul, and he went to King Achish of Gath. The officials of Achish told him, "Isn't this David, king of the land? Isn't this the one about whom they sang as they danced, "Saul has struck down his thousands, but David his ten thousands'?" read more. David took these words seriously, and he was very frightened of King Achish of Gath. So David changed his behavior before them and acted like he was crazy in their presence. He scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down his beard. Achish told his officials, "Look, you see a person acting like a madman. Why'd you bring him to me? Am I lacking madmen that you bring me this one to act like a madman around me? Shall this one come into my house?"
Achish believed David, telling himself, "He has certainly made himself repulsive to his people in Israel. He will be my servant forever."
Sometime later, David defeated and subdued the Philistines, taking Metheg-ammah away from the Philistines.
All of his staff were going on ahead of him that is, all of the special forces and mercenaries, all of the Gittites, and 600 men who had come to serve him from Gath, went on ahead of the king. Then the king suggested to Ittai the Gittite, "Why should you have to go with us? Return and stay with the new king, since you're a foreigner and exile. Stay where you want to stay. read more. It seems only yesterday that you arrived, so should I make you wander around with us while I go wherever I can? Go back, and take your brothers with you. May gracious love and truth accompany you!" "As the LORD lives," Ittai answered in reply, "and as your majesty the king lives, wherever your majesty my king may be whether living or dying that's where your servant will be!" So David replied, "Come along, then!" So Ittai the Gittite went along also, accompanied by all of his men and all of his little ones.
In yet another battle at Gob, Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite's son Elhanan killed Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear resembled that of a weaver's beam. Later on, there was another battle at Gath, where there was a very tall man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot 24 in number who had also been fathered by giants. read more. When he defied Israel, David's brother Shimeah's son Jonathan killed him. These four giants, who had been fathered by a giant in Gath, were killed at the hands of David and his servants.
So the king gave orders to Jehoiada's son Benaiah to go out, attack Shimei, and kill him. That is how the kingdom was established under Solomon's control.
Later, King Hazael of Aram invaded and attacked Gath, captured it, and then set out to approach Jerusalem.
He attacked the Philistines, invading Gaza and its borders from watchtower to fortified garrison.
One time Uzziah went out and battled the Philistines. He tore down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod, and built cities in the Ashdod area among the Philistines.
"Don't rejoice, all of you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken, because from the snake's root a viper will spring up, and its offspring will be a darting, poisonous serpent. The firstborn of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety; but I'll kill your root by famine, and I'll execute your survivors. read more. Wail, you gate! Cry out, you city! Melt away, all you Philistines! For smoke comes from the north, and there's no one to take measure in its festivals. How will they answer the messengers of the nation? "The LORD has founded Zion, and in it the afflicted among his people will find refuge."
This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Gaza and now for a fourth I will not turn away; because they exiled the entire population, delivering them to Edom.
Cross over to Calneh and look around, then go on to that great city of Hamath, and from there go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory more extensive than yours?
"For Gaza will be forsaken, and Ashkelon deserted Ashdod will be emptied at high noon; even Ekron will be uprooted. Woe to those who live along the coast, the people of Philistia! This message from the LORD is being spoken against you, Canaan, land of the Philistines: "I'll destroy you until no one lives there!'
Ashkelon will see it happen and will be terrified; Gaza will tremble greatly. Ekron will be ashamed of her expectations, Gaza's king will perish, and Ashkelon will become uninhabited. A strange people will inhabit Ashdod, and I will eliminate the arrogance of Philistia.
Hastings
A city of the Philistine Pentapolis. It is mentioned in Jos 11:22 as a place where the Anakim took refuge; but Joshua is significantly silent about the apportioning of the city to any of the tribes. The ark was brought here from Ashdod (1Sa 5:8), and thence to Ekron (1Sa 5:10). It was the home of Goliath (1Sa 17:4; 2Sa 21:19), and after the rout of the Philistines at Ephes-dammim it was the limit of their pursuit (1Sa 17:52 Septuagint). David during his outlawry took refuge with its king. Achish (1Sa 21:10). A bodyguard of Gittites was attached to David's person under the leadership of a certain Ittai; these remained faithful to the king after the revolt of Absalom (2Sa 15:18). Shimei's servants ran to Gath, and were pursued thither by him contrary to the tabu laid upon him (1Ki 2:40). Gath was captured by Hazael of Syria (2Ki 12:17). An unsuccessful Ephraimite cattle-lifting expedition against Gath is recorded (1Ch 7:21). The city was captured by David, according to the Chronicler (1Ch 18:1). and fortified by Rehoboam (2Ch 11:8). It was again captured by Uzziah (2Ch 26:6). Amos refers to it in terms which imply that some great calamity has befallen it (2Ch 6:2); the later prophets, though they mention other cities of the Pentapolis, are silent respecting Gath, which seems therefore to have dropped out of existence. The exact circumstances of its final fate are unknown. The topographical indications, both of the Scripture references and of the Onomasticon, point to the great mound Tell es-Safi as the most probable site for the identification of Gath. It stands at the mouth of the Valley of Elah, and clearly represents a large and important town. It was partially excavated by the Palestine Exploration Fund in 1899, but, unfortunately, the whole mound being much cumbered with a modern village and its graveyards and sacred shrines, only a limited area was found available for excavation, and the results were not so definite as they might have been.
R. A. S. Macalister.
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None of the Anakim remained in the land belonging to the Israelis they remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.
They sent messengers and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and asked, "What are we to do with the Ark of the God of Israel?" They said, "Let the Ark of the God of Israel move to Gath." So they moved the Ark of the God of Israel.
Then they sent the Ark of God to Ekron. When the Ark of God arrived in Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, "They have brought the Ark of the God of Israel to us to kill us and our people!"
A champion named Goliath from Gath came out from the Philistine camp. He was four cubits and a span tall,
The men of Israel and Judah got up with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance to the valley and to the gates of Ekron. Wounded Philistines fell along the way to Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron.
All of his staff were going on ahead of him that is, all of the special forces and mercenaries, all of the Gittites, and 600 men who had come to serve him from Gath, went on ahead of the king.
Somebody told Shimei, "Look! Your servants went to Gath!" So Shimei got up, saddled a donkey, and traveled to Gath to find his servants. He found them and brought them back from Gath.
Later, King Hazael of Aram invaded and attacked Gath, captured it, and then set out to approach Jerusalem.
his son Zabad, his son Shuthelah, his son Ezer, and Elead. The people of Gath, who were native to the land, killed them when they came down to raid their cattle.
After this, David defeated and subdued the Philistines, and then took possession of Gath and its towns from Philistine control.
Now I have constructed a magnificent temple dedicated to you that will serve as a place for you to inhabit forever."
One time Uzziah went out and battled the Philistines. He tore down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod, and built cities in the Ashdod area among the Philistines.
Morish
One of the five royal cities of the Philistines, and to which Goliath belonged. It is not mentioned as having been given to any of the tribes. It was to this city that the ark was carried when taken in war. 1Sa 5:8. To Achish king of Gath David resorted when his faith failed him as to God's protection. 1Sa 27:2-4: cf. 1Sa 21:10,12. Afterwards when he was king and in power he took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines. Uzziah also fought against the place and broke down its walls. 1Ch 18:1; 2Ch 26:6. After Mic 1:10 we hear no more of Gath among the cities of the Philistines: cf. Zep 2:4; Zec 9:5-6. It may have been ruined. Its site is identified with Tell es Safl, 31 43' N, 34 51' E, where there are extensive ruins and cisterns hewn out of the rock. It commanded the entrance to the valley of Elah.
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They sent messengers and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and asked, "What are we to do with the Ark of the God of Israel?" They said, "Let the Ark of the God of Israel move to Gath." So they moved the Ark of the God of Israel.
David took these words seriously, and he was very frightened of King Achish of Gath.
So David got up, and he and the 600 men who were with him went to Maoch's son Achish, the king of Gath. David stayed with Achish in Gath along with his men, each of whom was with his household. David had his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, who had been the wife of Nabal of Carmel. read more. Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, and he did not continue to search for him.
After this, David defeated and subdued the Philistines, and then took possession of Gath and its towns from Philistine control.
"Don't discuss it in Gath! Don't cry bitterly in Akim! Roll in the ashes, Beth-leaphrah!
"For Gaza will be forsaken, and Ashkelon deserted Ashdod will be emptied at high noon; even Ekron will be uprooted.
Ashkelon will see it happen and will be terrified; Gaza will tremble greatly. Ekron will be ashamed of her expectations, Gaza's king will perish, and Ashkelon will become uninhabited. A strange people will inhabit Ashdod, and I will eliminate the arrogance of Philistia.
Smith
(a wine press), one of the five royal cities of the Philistines;
and the native place of the giant Goliath.
It probably stood upon the conspicuous hill now called Tell-es-Safieh, upon the side of the plain of Philistia, at the foot of the mountains of Judah; 10 miles east of Ashdod, and about the same distance south by east of Ekron. It is irregular in form, and about 200 feet high. Gath occupied a strong position,
on the border of Judah and Philistia,
and from its strength and resources forming the key of both countries, it was the scene of frequent struggles, and was often captured and recaptured.
2Ki 12:17; 2Ch 11:8; 26:6; Am 6:2
The ravages of war to which Gath was exposed appear to have destroyed it at a comparatively early period, as it is not mentioned among the other royal cities by the later prophets.
It is familiar to the Bible student as the scene of one of the most romantic incidents in the life of King David.
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from the Shihor east of Egypt as far as the border of Ekron on the north (which is considered part of Canaan). This includes the five rulers of the Philistines, the Gazites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, the Ekronites, and the Avvites.
A champion named Goliath from Gath came out from the Philistine camp. He was four cubits and a span tall,
As he was speaking with them, the Philistine champion named Goliath from Gath came up from the Philistine battle lines and spoke his usual words, as David listened.
David got up that day and fled from Saul, and he went to King Achish of Gath. The officials of Achish told him, "Isn't this David, king of the land? Isn't this the one about whom they sang as they danced, "Saul has struck down his thousands, but David his ten thousands'?" read more. David took these words seriously, and he was very frightened of King Achish of Gath. So David changed his behavior before them and acted like he was crazy in their presence. He scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down his beard. Achish told his officials, "Look, you see a person acting like a madman. Why'd you bring him to me? Am I lacking madmen that you bring me this one to act like a madman around me? Shall this one come into my house?"
Later, King Hazael of Aram invaded and attacked Gath, captured it, and then set out to approach Jerusalem.
Cross over to Calneh and look around, then go on to that great city of Hamath, and from there go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory more extensive than yours?
"For Gaza will be forsaken, and Ashkelon deserted Ashdod will be emptied at high noon; even Ekron will be uprooted.
Ashkelon will see it happen and will be terrified; Gaza will tremble greatly. Ekron will be ashamed of her expectations, Gaza's king will perish, and Ashkelon will become uninhabited. A strange people will inhabit Ashdod, and I will eliminate the arrogance of Philistia.
Watsons
GATH, the fifth of the Philistine cities. It was a place of strength in the time of the prophets Amos and Micah, and is placed by Jerom on the road between Eleutheropolis and Gaza. It appears to have been the extreme boundary of the Philistine territory in one direction, as Ekron was on the other. Hence the expression, "from Ekron even unto Gath," 1Sa 7:14.
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The LORD continued to oppose the Philistines all during Samuel's life time. The towns that the Philistines had taken from Israel were returned to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from Philistine control. There was also peace between Israel and the Amorites.