(8) Gath.--Uncertain. Perhaps in the Wady-el-Gat north of Ascalon. (See 1Kings 2:39 and 1Chronicles 18:1, from a comparison of which it appears that, under Solomon, Gath was ruled by a vassal king.) Mareshah.--Marash; a ruin two miles south of Beit-jibrin, Eleutheropolis (Joshua 15:44; 2Chronicles 14:9). Ziph.--Tel Zif; ruins about one hour and a quarter south east of Hebron (Joshua 15:55; 1Samuel 23:14, seqq.) Another Judean Ziph is mentioned (Joshua 15:24). Verse 8. - Gath. Site still unknown. Some think it may be the Gath-rimmon of Dan (Joshua 19:45). Otherwise it is Gath of the Philistines (Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:17), and of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:4, 23). I.L.P., in Dr. Smith's 'Bible Dictionary,' 1:656, wishes to find it on a hill now called Tel-es-Safleh, on one side of the Plain of Philistia, about ten miles east of Ashdod and south - east of Ekron. See also "Topographical Index," p. 411, in Conder's ' andbook to the Bible,' 2nd edit. Other interesting references are 1 Samuel 17:1, 52; 1 Samuel 21:10; 1 Chronicles 18:1; ch. 26:6; 1 Kings 2:39; 2 Kings 12:17; Amos 6:2. Mareshah. In the Shefelah (Joshua 15:44), now Marash, a short distance south of Eleutheropolis. Zerah the Cushite came here when he was invading Judaea (ch. 14:9. See also ch. 20:37; Micah 1:15). It was taken by John Hyreanus, B.C. 110, and was demolished by the Parthians, B.C. 39. Ziph. Probably the present Tel-Lif, a little south-east of Hebron (Joshua 15:55; see also 24. See also 1 Samuel 23:14-24; 1 Samuel 26:2). 11:1-12 A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are destitute of true faith, will at times pay some regard to the word of God, and be kept by it from wrong actions, to which they are prone by nature.And Gath,.... Which cannot be that Gath which was one of the principalities of the Philistines, but a city in the tribe of Judah; though of it we nowhere else read; unless this is the same with Moreshethgath, Micah 1:14, which is probable, since it follows:and Mareshah; the birth place of Micah the prophet, Micah 1:1, and Ziph; there were two cities of this name in the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:24. |
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