Askelon Ashkelon
Askelon Ashkelon [1]
One of the five principal cities of the Philistines. It fell to the lot of Judah, who took Askelon and the coasts thereof, Judges 1:18 , but they did not really subdue it, for it was in the hands of the Philistines when Samson, with the Spirit of the Lord upon him, slew thirty men in the city and took their spoil, Judges 14:19 , and that it remained so we see from 1 Samuel 6:17 , and 2 Samuel 1:20 . The judgements of God were denounced against this city, Jeremiah 25:20; Jeremiah 47:5,7; Amos 1:8; Zechariah 9:5; and the remnant of Judah should dwell there. Zephaniah 2:4,7 .
The city was situated on the sea coast, midway between Gaza and Ashdod: it is now called Askulan or Askalan, 31 40' N. In modern times the city was held by the Crusaders, and within its walls Richard of England held his court: the walls which this king aided with his own hands to repair may, it is thought, still be traced, and masses of masonry and broken columns of granite still lie about. By the Mahometan geographers it was called the Bride of Syria.
