Ashkelon

(removal) (2 Sam. 1:20) — one of the five chief fortified cities of the Philistines, situated on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, twenty English miles south of Gaza, and 520 stadia southwest of Jerusalem. After Joshua’s death it again fell under the dominion of the tribe of Judah (Judg. 1:18), to which it was originally assigned. It was known in antiquity for the worship of Astarte, otherwise known by the name [of Derceto], to whom the dove was sacred, and under whom some understand the Greek Aphrodite, or Venus, and for the growing of garden onions in the city and its surroundings.

It was here, that is, to Ashkelon, that Samson went from Timnah, after killing thirty Philistines (Judg. 14:19). Ashkelon is mentioned in David’s lament over the death of Saul (2 Sam. 1:20). The prophets repeatedly foretold its future fate (Jer. 25:20; Amos 1:8; Zech. 9:5), predictions all fulfilled with literal exactness. In later times Ashkelon was known as the birthplace of Herod and as the site of many bloody battles between Crusaders and Saracens. In 1270 it was finally destroyed by Sultan Baibars.

Not far to the north there is a small village called Jura [as given] (onion), nestled almost among the ruins of the once ancient and glorious Philistine city. Ashkelon wine was famous for its excellence; and Ashkelon in general was famous for its cypresses, figs, pomegranates, and bees. Turtledoves, once sacred to Astarte, still to this day fill with their cooing the gardens in the sandy hollows of ruined Ashkelon (Stanley, 257).