Ashkelon: =Askelon=Ascalon, was one of the five cities of the Philistines
(Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:17) It stood on the shore of the Mediterranean, 12
miles north of Gaza. It is mentioned on an inscription at Karnak in
Egypt as having been taken by king Rameses II., the oppressor of the
Hebrews. In the time of the judges
(Judges 1:18) it fell into the
possession of the tribe of Judah; but it was soon after retaken by
the Philistines
(2 Samuel 1:20) who were not finally dispossessed till the
time of Alexander the Great. Samson went down to this place from
Timnath, and slew thirty men and took their spoil. The prophets
foretold its destruction
(Jeremiah 25:20; 47:5,7) It became a noted place in
the Middle Ages, having been the scene of many a bloody battle
between the Saracens and the Crusaders. It was beseiged and taken by
Richard the Lion-hearted, and "within its walls and towers now
standing he held his court." Among the Tell Amarna tablets
(See EGYPT)
are found letters or official despatches from Yadaya, "captain of
horse and dust of the king's feet," to the "great king" of Egypt,
dated from Ascalon. It is now called 'Askalan.
