Shfelah Field Trip!

The Shfelah refers of the area of LOW HILLS which separate the high Hill Country of Judah from the southern Coastal Plain (or Philistia). Anciently the Shfelah served as a buffer zone (battle field!) between the Judean Hills and an enemy which might want to attack Judah's heartland from the coast (such as the Philistines, Assyrians, or Babylonians, etc) 

During Iron Age II (monarchy of Judah) Five valleys in the Shfelah were guarded by fortress cities built at key points in the valleys. 

Those dots are where we went this day!

I do believe that Brother Chadwick was the most excited for this field trip because he could sing this song all he wanted!

The ShfelahSong: sing this to 'My Boyfriends Back'

Goliath’s back, and you’re gonna be in trouble

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath’s back!

He’s nine feet high and his chin is kinda double

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath’s back!

He’s gotta big spear like a weaver’s beam

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath’s back!

When King Saul saw it, he started out to scream

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath’s back!

And, he really is a giant!And, he’s workin’ for a tyrant!

Now David went down to the Valley of Elah

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath’s back!

Takin’ his brothers some cheeses from his Papa

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath’s back!

The brothers said “Hey Dave ya did a na-na”

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath’s back!

Goliath just a stood there laughin’ “ha ha!”

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath’s back!

And, he really is a giant!And, he’s workin’ for a tyrant!

                                                Fortress city:                 Shfelah valley:

                                                GEZER                       AYALON (KJV “Ajalon”)

                                               BETH SHEMESH      SOREK

                                               AZEKAH                    ELAH (David v. Goliath)

                                              MARESHAH              GUVRIN

                                              LACHISH                    LACHISH

SHEPHELAH
Beth Shemesh/Sorek Valley
1) What does “Beth Shemesh” mean?
            “Sun House”
2) What purpose did Beth Shemesh serve for the Israelites?
            As a safeguard against the Philistines
3) What role did the Philistines take regarding the Sorek Valley?
            To keep the Israelites from conquering the plains
4) Why did the tribe of Dan inhabit Laish?
            The Sorek Valley was assigned to the tribe of Dan, but Dan couldn’t conquer that valley so they were given Laish instead
5) What happened in 1 Sam. 6 which ties into the history of Beth Shemesh?
            The Ark of the Covenant was returned to Israel

Azekah
a.     Explain why Azekah was a fortress and safeguard for the Elah Valley.

Guarded the Valley of Elah-Begins in the hills of the Shephelah and ascends to the                         Judean Mountains near Bethlehem

b.     What are the four occupation levels found at Azekah?
                                              i.             Egyptian (New Kingdom)
                                             ii.             Judges Fortress
                                           iii.             Divided monarchy Judah
                                           iv.             Hellenistic Roman
c.      Give an explanation for why the Assyrian ruler failed to take Azekah?

It was in an ideal location on a high mountain range-it was inaccessible even for                                     siege ramps and was to strong to be approached with battering rams-“like an                                     eagle’s nest”

d.     Did the Babylonian ruler succeed in taking Azekah? Explain how the neighboring fortress knew.

Yes-Lachish didn’t see the signal fires of Azekah, so they knew it had been                                     captured

Elah Valley
1) How did David apply his strategy in order to utilize the advantages of his own experience?
            David used his experience with slings (from shepherding)--Bro. Judd gave this answer!
2) What was David’s essential advantage over Goliath (according to 1 Sam. 17)?
            The Lord (also Bro. Judd’s answer)
3) Name the 5 valleys in the Judean Shephelah
            Aijalon, Sorek, Elah, Guvrin, Lachish
4) What Philistine fort guarded the west end of the Elah Valley?
            Gath
5) What Israelite fort guarded the Valley further east?
            Azekah

Mareshah
1) What are the names of the five valleys of the Shephelah? Which valley did Mareshah overlook/guard?
            Aijalon, Sorek, Elah, Guvrin, Lachish;  Mareshah overlooked the Guvrin valley

2) How are the Judean Kings (Rehoboam and Asa) associated with the history of Mareshah?
            Joshua gave the tribe of Judah the city of Mareshah
3) Who settled in Mareshah after being displaced from their home in Edom?  What is their Hellenized name?
            the Edomites; their Hellenized name is the Idumaeans
4) Who may have been born at Mareshah?
            Herod the Great
5) What are some of the industrial activities which took place at Mareshah?
            Wine, olive oil, dove husbandry


Lachish
1.     Explain how Lachish functioned in Old Testament times.

It was a large city that guarded the Lachish Valley-it was fortified with a                                                 citadel-palace and a double wall

2.     Lachish was conquered 3 times. List each year along with the conqueror.
     i.             Joshua-1230 BC
            ii.             Sennacharib-701 BC
                   iii.             Nebuchadnezzar-589 BC


Gath
1) Name the five cities of the Philistine Pentapolis.
            Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath
2) What significant cultural link do Dagon’s trident and bichrome pottery make?
            Symbolizes that the Philistines originally came from the Aegan sea
3) What was David’s function for 16 months in Gath?
            He served as a vassal to the Philistine king
4) What did David most likely learn from the Philistines?
            Iron metallurgy
5) During the Divided Monarchy, Gath was ruled mostly by which kings?
            Judean kings

This is where they raised pigeons! It was soo cool to see how it was done anciently!

The Bell Caves (named by their shape) or better known as Beit Guvrin were limestone quarries carved out in ancient time for building material. Most of it was made into plaster for buildings. Many ancient buildings featured plastered limestone walls, and even floors. They still do today! Everything is made of limestone in Israel!

This is Lachish (tell ed-Duwier) was the largest and most important city in the Old Testament times. It was occupied during the Canaanite periods and during the Judean monarchy of the Israelite period. It measures over 18 acres on its summit. There were two Caananite temple complexes that were excavated here! Pictured below is an Assyrian siege ramp, built by the forces of Sennacherib during his 701 BC attack on Lachish. The city was attacked and destroyed by three different invading armies during the Old Testament times.

You can read about this place in 

Joshua 10:3-5, 31-32

2 kings 18:18; 13-17

2 Chronicles 32:9 

Jeremiah 34:7

We are at the exact spot where David and Goliath fought!
This is the Valley of Elah- you can find their fight in 1 Samuel 17!

Where the battle commenced!