3 101 X Hamath, located on the Orontes River, was the capital city of the Kingdom of Hamath which bordered Solomon's Kingdom. It was an ally of Israel, and Solomon built storehouses there. The city was conquered by the Assyrians and many of its inhabitants were deported.
#Hamath
4 101 X Ashdod was an important Philistine city. Frequently at war with the Israelites, the Philistines once captured the sacred Ark of the Covenant and took it to their own temple to the god Dagon in Ashdod. The city was finally captured by the Israelite king Uzziah and then by the Assyrians in the 8th century BC.
#Ashdod
5 101 X Ashkelon was mentioned in Egyptian texts of the 11th dynasty and was captured by Rameses II around 1280 BC. It became a major city of the Philistines and in 733 BC was made a tributary city to Assyria. Ashkelon was finally destroyed by the Babylonians in 604 BC as a punishment for seeking help from Egypt against Babylon.
# Ashkelon
194 101 X Gibeah in Judah was the home of Israel's first king, Saul. It had a Philistine garrison which Saul rose up against. Excavations have revealed a considerable fortress which dates to this era. It served as quarters for Israelite soldiers under Saul and David, but declined in importance during the reign of Solomon.
#Gibeah
6 101 X Beersheba was the principal city of the Negeb and an important holy place. It was also the southern boundary of the settled land of the Israelites. The city was located at a junction of several caravan trade routes, and was one of the cities resettled after the Babylonian exile.
#Beersheba
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# IW Megiddo
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#SAUL AND DAVID
19 101 X Rabbah was the capital city of the Ammonites. The royal city had a citadel high up on a plateau and a lower section which guarded the city's water source. It was captured by King David and came under Israelite control, but later revolted and regained its independence, and was destroyed by Arab hordes around 580 BC.
# Rabbah
48 101 X Shiloh was an important Israelite centre where the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle remained during the period of the Judges recounted in the Bible. It was also the scene of religious festivals and pilgrimages. The city was destroyed by the Philistines, however, and the Ark was lost. Shiloh never regained its former importance.
