Ath
Ath [1]
Gath. (a wine press). One of the five royal cities of the Philistines; Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:17, and the native place of the giant Goliath. 1 Samuel 17:4; 1 Samuel 17:23. It probably stood upon the conspicuous hill now called Tell-es-Safieh , upon the side of the plain of Philistia, at the foot of the mountains of Judah; 10 miles east of Ashdod, and about the same distance south by east of Ekron. It is irregular in form, and about 200 feet high.
Gath occupied a strong position, 2 Chronicles 11:8, on the border of Judah and Philistia, 1 Samuel 21:10; 1 Chronicles 18:1, and from its strength and resources, forming the key of both countries, it was the scene of frequent struggles, and was often captured and recaptured. 2 Kings 12:17; 2 Chronicles 11:8; 2 Chronicles 26:6; Amos 6:2. The ravages of war to which Gath was exposed appear to have destroyed it at a comparatively early period, as it is not mentioned among the other royal cities by the later prophets. Zephaniah 2:4; Zechariah 9:5-6. It is familiar to the Bible student as the scene of one of the most romantic incidents in the life of King David. 1 Samuel 21:10-15.
