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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There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel. Some of them remained in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.
from Shihor, which is near Egypt, to the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
The people of Ashdod called together the Philistine rulers. What shall we do with the Ark of the God of Israel? They asked. The rulers said: The Ark of the God of Israel must be taken to Gath. So the people took the Ark of the God of Israel there.
The Philistines sent the five gold tumors to Jehovah as a gift (guilt offering) to pay for their sins. They included one for each of the cities of Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron.
A fighter came out from the tents of the Philistines. His name was Goliath of Gath. He was over nine feet tall.
David kept running from Saul that day until he came to Gath. There he met with King Achish.
David and his six hundred men went over at once to Achish son of Maoch, king of Gath. David and his men and their families lived with Achish at Gath. David brought his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. read more. Word soon reached Saul that David fled to Gath. So he stopped hunting for him. David said to Achish: If it is all right with you, let me live in one of the outlying towns. Why should I live in the royal city with you? Achish immediately gave him Ziklag. This is why Ziklag still belongs to the kings of Judah today. David lived in Philistine territory for one year and four months.
All his mercenaries passed by him. The Cherethites, all the Pelethites, Ittai, and all six hundred men who had followed him from Gath marched past the king. The king asked Ittai from Gath: Why should you go with us? Go back, and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. read more. In fact you came to us just yesterday. Should I make you wander around with me when I do not even know where I am going? Go back and take your countrymen with you. May Jehovah always show you kindness. Ittai answered: Your Majesty, I swear to you in the name of Jehovah that I will always go with you wherever you go, even if it means death. David answered: That is fine. March on! So Ittai went on with all his men and their dependents.
After this, David defeated and crushed the Philistines. He captured Gath and its surrounding villages from them.
Uzziah went to wage war against the Philistines. He tore down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. He built cities near Ashdod and elsewhere 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 Shihor, which is near Egypt, to the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
The people of Ashdod called together the Philistine rulers. What shall we do with the Ark of the God of Israel? They asked. The rulers said: The Ark of the God of Israel must be taken to Gath. So the people took the Ark of the God of Israel there. After they had moved it, Jehovah threw the city into a great panic. He struck all the people in the city and they were covered with tumors.
The Philistines sent the five gold tumors to Jehovah as a gift (guilt offering) to pay for their sins. They included one for each of the cities of Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron.
A fighter came out from the tents of the Philistines. His name was Goliath of Gath. He was over nine feet tall.
David kept running from Saul that day until he came to Gath. There he met with King Achish.
David kept running from Saul that day until he came to Gath. There he met with King Achish.
David and his six hundred men went over at once to Achish son of Maoch, king of Gath. David and his men and their families lived with Achish at Gath. David brought his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. read more. Word soon reached Saul that David fled to Gath. So he stopped hunting for him.
Do not tell the news in Gath. Do not announce the victory in the streets of Ashkelon. The daughters of the Philistines will be glad. The daughters of godless men will celebrate.
King David attacked the Philistines again. He defeated them and ended their control over Methegammah.
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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There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel. Some of them remained in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.
from Shihor, which is near Egypt, to the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
After they had moved it, Jehovah threw the city into a great panic. He struck all the people in the city and they were covered with tumors.
What guilt offering (trespass gift) shall we send him? The people asked. They answered: Five gold models of tumors and five gold mice, one of each for each Philistine king. The same plague was sent on all of you and on the five kings. You must make these models of the tumors and of the mice that are ravaging your country. You must give honor to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will stop punishing you, your gods, and your land.
The men did this. They took two milk cows and tied them to the cart. They placed their calves in pens at home. They laid the Ark of Jehovah on the cart, and the box with the mice of gold and the images of their tumors. read more. The cows went straight ahead to Bethshemesh. They went on the highway lowing as they went. They did not turn aside to the right or to the left. And the lords of the Philistines followed them to the border of Bethshemesh. The people of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley. They looked up and saw the ark. They rejoiced to see it. The cart came to the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there. There was a great stone. They cut the wood of the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to Jehovah. The Levites removed the cart the Ark of Jehovah and the box that contained the gold objects. They put them on the large rock. The people of Bethshemesh presented burnt offerings and sacrifices to Jehovah that day. After the five rulers of the Philistines saw this, they went back to Ekron that same day. The Philistines sent the five gold tumors to Jehovah as a gift (guilt offering) to pay for their sins. They included one for each of the cities of Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. They also sent gold mice, one for each of the cities ruled by the five Philistine kings, both the fortified towns and the villages without walls. The large rock in the field of Joshua of Bethshemesh, on which they placed the Ark of Jehovah's Covenant, is still there as a witness to what happened.
The Philistines got ready for war and brought their troops together to attack the town of Socoh in Judah. They set up camp at Ephes-Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah.
The men of Israel and Judah shouted and ran after them. They pursued them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The Philistines fell wounded all along the road that leads to Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron.
David kept running from Saul that day until he came to Gath. There he met with King Achish. The officers of King Achish were also there. They asked Achish: Is David a king back in his own country? Do the Israelites not dance and sing: 'Saul has killed a thousand enemies; David has killed ten thousand enemies?' read more. David thought about what they said. It made him afraid of Achish. Right there in front of everyone, he pretended to be insane. He acted confused and scratched up the doors of the town gate. He drooled in his beard. Look at him! Achish said to his officers. You can see he is crazy. Why did you bring him to me? I have enough crazy people without your bringing another one here. Keep him away from my palace!
Achish trusted David and thought: David's people must be furious with him. From now on he will have to take orders from me.
King David attacked the Philistines again. He defeated them and ended their control over Methegammah.
All his mercenaries passed by him. The Cherethites, all the Pelethites, Ittai, and all six hundred men who had followed him from Gath marched past the king. The king asked Ittai from Gath: Why should you go with us? Go back, and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. read more. In fact you came to us just yesterday. Should I make you wander around with me when I do not even know where I am going? Go back and take your countrymen with you. May Jehovah always show you kindness. Ittai answered: Your Majesty, I swear to you in the name of Jehovah that I will always go with you wherever you go, even if it means death. David answered: That is fine. March on! So Ittai went on with all his men and their dependents.
There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath. Goliath's spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. read more. When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimei, killed him. These four were descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.
The king gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada. He killed Shimei. Solomon was now in complete control.
King Hazael of Syria attacked the city of Gath and conquered it. Then he decided to attack Jerusalem.
He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its limits, from the tower of the watchman to the walled town.
Uzziah went to wage war against the Philistines. He tore down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. He built cities near Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines.
The rod that beat you is broken, but you have no reason to be glad. When one snake dies, a worse one comes in its place. A snake's egg hatches a flying dragon. Jehovah will be a shepherd to the poor of his people and will let them live in safety. But he will send a terrible famine on you Philistines. It will not leave any of you alive. read more. Howl and cry for help, all you Philistine cities! Be terrified, all of you! A cloud of dust is coming from the north. It is an army with no cowards in its ranks. What then will one answer the messengers that come to us from Philistia? We will tell them that Jehovah has established Zion and in her the poor and afflicted of his people find refuge.
Jehovah said: I will not withdraw punishment from Gaza for they transgressed many times. They captured all the people and delivered them to Edom.
Travel to Calneh and observe. From there go to the great Hamath. Then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are they better off than these kingdoms? Is their territory greater than your territory?
For Gaza will be abandoned. Ashkelon will be a desolate waste. They will drive out Ashdod at high noon. Ekron will be exterminated. Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, the nation of the Cherethites! The word of Jehovah is against you, O Canaan, the land of the Philistines. I will destroy you and you will not be inhabited.
Ashkelon will see it and fear! Gaza will be pained and Ekron will be put to shame. The king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited. An illegitimate son will dwell in Ashdod. I will remove the arrogance of the Philistines.
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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There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel. Some of them remained in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.
The people of Ashdod called together the Philistine rulers. What shall we do with the Ark of the God of Israel? They asked. The rulers said: The Ark of the God of Israel must be taken to Gath. So the people took the Ark of the God of Israel there.
So the people of Gath sent the Ark of God to Ekron. But when the Ark of God came to Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out: They brought the Ark of the God of Israel here to kill us.
A fighter came out from the tents of the Philistines. His name was Goliath of Gath. He was over nine feet tall.
The men of Israel and Judah shouted and ran after them. They pursued them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The Philistines fell wounded all along the road that leads to Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron.
David kept running from Saul that day until he came to Gath. There he met with King Achish.
All his mercenaries passed by him. The Cherethites, all the Pelethites, Ittai, and all six hundred men who had followed him from Gath marched past the king.
he saddled his donkey and went to King Achish in Gath, to find his slaves. He found them and brought them back home.
King Hazael of Syria attacked the city of Gath and conquered it. Then he decided to attack Jerusalem.
Zabad his son and Shuthelah his son. The native-born men of Gath killed Ezer and Elead, when they went down to seize their livestock.
After this, David defeated and crushed the Philistines. He captured Gath and its surrounding villages from them.
Uzziah went to wage war against the Philistines. He tore down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. He built cities near Ashdod and elsewhere 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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The people of Ashdod called together the Philistine rulers. What shall we do with the Ark of the God of Israel? They asked. The rulers said: The Ark of the God of Israel must be taken to Gath. So the people took the Ark of the God of Israel there.
David kept running from Saul that day until he came to Gath. There he met with King Achish.
David thought about what they said. It made him afraid of Achish.
David and his six hundred men went over at once to Achish son of Maoch, king of Gath. David and his men and their families lived with Achish at Gath. David brought his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. read more. Word soon reached Saul that David fled to Gath. So he stopped hunting for him.
After this, David defeated and crushed the Philistines. He captured Gath and its surrounding villages from them.
Do not announce it at Gath, Philistia. Do not weep or show grief. At the house of Ophrah (house of dust) roll in the dust!
For Gaza will be abandoned. Ashkelon will be a desolate waste. They will drive out Ashdod at high noon. Ekron will be exterminated.
Ashkelon will see it and fear! Gaza will be pained and Ekron will be put to shame. The king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited. An illegitimate son will dwell in Ashdod. I will remove the arrogance of the Philistines.
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 Shihor, which is near Egypt, to the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
A fighter came out from the tents of the Philistines. His name was Goliath of Gath. He was over nine feet tall.
David talked to his brothers. Goliath came out from the line of Philistines and boasted as usual. David heard him.
David kept running from Saul that day until he came to Gath. There he met with King Achish.
David kept running from Saul that day until he came to Gath. There he met with King Achish. The officers of King Achish were also there. They asked Achish: Is David a king back in his own country? Do the Israelites not dance and sing: 'Saul has killed a thousand enemies; David has killed ten thousand enemies?' read more. David thought about what they said. It made him afraid of Achish. Right there in front of everyone, he pretended to be insane. He acted confused and scratched up the doors of the town gate. He drooled in his beard. Look at him! Achish said to his officers. You can see he is crazy. Why did you bring him to me? I have enough crazy people without your bringing another one here. Keep him away from my palace!
King Hazael of Syria attacked the city of Gath and conquered it. Then he decided to attack Jerusalem.
Travel to Calneh and observe. From there go to the great Hamath. Then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are they better off than these kingdoms? Is their territory greater than your territory?
For Gaza will be abandoned. Ashkelon will be a desolate waste. They will drive out Ashdod at high noon. Ekron will be exterminated.
Ashkelon will see it and fear! Gaza will be pained and Ekron will be put to shame. The king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited. An illegitimate son will dwell in Ashdod. I will remove the arrogance of the Philistines.
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 cities between Ekron and Gath that the Philistines took from Israel were returned to Israel. Israel recovered the territory controlled by these cities from the Philistines. There was also peace between Israel and the Amorites.