Ekron

One of the five cities of the Philistines (Gath, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Gaza), Ekron has been identified by archaeologists as being located near the modern Kibbutz of Revadim at Tel Mikne. Lying inland near the Judean hills, the region held by the Children of Israel, Ekron was at the frontline of Philistine and Israeli battles. Ekron was the last of the five Philistine cities to host the Ark of the Covenant, wrested from the Children of Israel during battle and taken by the victors to Ashdod and Gath. Each of the cities experienced catastrophe because of the Ark’s presence and eventually the Philistines decided to send it back to the Children of Israel. They ordered that two cows be hitched to a wooden cart and that the Holy Ark be placed on top. Then they watched as the animals pulled it towards Beth Shemesh (Israelite territory) without turning either right or left (1 Samuel 6:7-12). Ekron is mentioned 24 times in the Bible. One reference occurs after David routs Goliath: "Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron" [1 Samuel 17:52]. Excavations were begun at Tel Mikne in 1981 and the findings are astounding. Archeologists have uncovered an ancient Ekron oil industry with over 115 oil presses used in the eighth century B.C. The Philistines always built their columns in pairs, and the stone bases of two such columns were found in ancient Ekron. This discovery recalls Samson in the temple: "Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" [Judges 16:29].