November-December 2020

TOMBS
of the
KINGS
What If
Ethiopia
Collapses?
Uncovering
the Battle
That Changed
the World
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 | VOL. 2, NO. 6 | circulation: 1,194

from the editor

An Astonishing Archaeological
Discovery Is Imminent!  1
What About ‘King David’s
Tomb’ on Mount Zion? 5

What If Ethiopia Collapses?6

Where Is the Tomb of David?10

infographic
Where Are the
Tombs of the Kings? 14
Fortress on the Golan18
Uncovering the Battle
That Changed the World19
The Rise and Fall of Sodom 22
319 vs. Four Armies? 24
The Thriving German-Israel
Relationship26

COVER IMAGE
Artist impression of the tombs
of the kings in Jerusalem, Israel
(WATCH JERUSALEM/JULIA GODDARD)

A double rainbow over excavation efforts

in the City of David, Jerusalem, Israel
(COURTESY OF EILAT MAZAR/EDWIN TREBELS)
 from the editor  |  Gerald Flurry

An Astonishing
Archaeological
Discovery
Is Imminent!
Over the last three decades, the legacy of King David
has been resurrected through several archaeological
discoveries. But the greatest discovery is still to come.

I
  would like to draw your attention to a turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your
crucial prophecy recorded in Jeremiah 7 and 8. I evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (verse
hope you carefully read this article, including the 11). Man can avoid the horror—God will protect any
biblical verses I quote, as well as the article by my son person that turns to Him.
on page 10. It is possible that this incredible prophecy The prophecy in Ezekiel 33 is directed at the nations
might soon be fulfilled. of Israel (America and Britain), but the parallel account
The coming of the Messiah was prophesied by in Jeremiah 7 and 8 shows that these events will also
virtually all of the biblical prophets. Great men like afflict Judah (prophetically, the modern nation of Israel)
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Joel and Hosea all and Jerusalem. You can prove the biblical identity of
describe very specific events that will occur just before America, Britain and the Jewish state in our free book
His arrival. Many people are familiar with these main The United States and Britain in Prophecy.
prophecies. But few are familiar with a remarkable Jeremiah 7:34 says, “Then will I cause to cease from
prophecy in Jeremiah 7 and 8. the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem,
The prophecy in Jeremiah 7 warns that the Messiah the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of
will come during a time of global upheaval and suffering. the bridegroom and the voice of the bride; for the land
“Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that shall be desolate.”
it shall no more be called Topheth, nor The valley of Jeremiah delivered this prophecy in the early sixth
the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter; for century b.c.e., just before Jerusalem was conquered and
they shall bury in Topheth, for lack of room. And the the temple destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 b.c.e.
carcasses of this people shall be food for the fowls of the Some believe this warning applied only to the Jews
heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall anciently. But the context shows that this prophecy is
frighten them away” (Jeremiah 7:32-33). specifically for the end time.
God takes no pleasure in this terrible suffering. In
Ezekiel 33, a parallel prophecy, God says, “… I have no Yet to Be Fulfilled
pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked Notice—the prophecy continues in Jeremiah 8:1: “At

november-december 2020 1
 View looking north
over the City of David
at the Temple Mount
(photo from the 1970s)

that time, saith the Lord, they shall bring out the bones Babylonian army conquered and destroyed Jerusalem
of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and in 586 b.c.e. There is no record in the Bible or in Jewish
the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, history of the bones of the kings in the tomb of David
and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of ever being disentombed.
their graves.” In fact, biblical passages show that the bones of
What a scene! This is talking about a tomb— Judah’s kings were safely ensconced in their tomb
referred to in many biblical passages as “the sepulchers during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, more than 100
of the kings”—in which several of Judah’s righteous years after the Babylonian destruction. New Testament
kings and prophets were buried. And Jeremiah passages like Acts 2:29 show that the tomb of the kings
prophesied that during this future time of suffering, remained undisturbed in the first century. The writings
that tomb will be raided, and the bones of the kings will of Jewish historians reveal that the tomb of the kings
be brought to the surface and very publicly destroyed. remained undisturbed even in the third century c.e.
Obviously, for this to happen, the tombs of the kings The bones of Judah’s kings and prophets remain in
will have already been discovered. Some people claim their original tomb, which has not yet been found—
that David’s tomb has been discovered on modern which means this stunning prophecy is yet to be fulfilled.
Mount Zion or in the northern part of the Old City, but
these locations are inconsistent with where the Bible Buried in One Tomb
places the location of the “sepulchres of David” (see The Bible records a remarkable amount of detail about
“Where Is the Tomb of David?” page 10). the death and burial of Judah’s righteous kings, priests
The tomb holding the bones of Judah’s greatest kings and prophets. We know that the righteous kings of
is yet to be discovered! Judah were buried in one large tomb, and that this tomb
Consider verse 2: “And they shall spread them [the was situated in the City of David.
bones] before the sun, and the moon, and all the host 1 Kings 2 describes the death of King David; verse 10
of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have says that “David slept with his fathers, and was buried
served, and after whom they have walked, and whom in the city of David.” This is why his tomb cannot be in
they have sought, and whom they have worshipped; the Old City or on modern Mount Zion. The Bible clearly
they shall not be gathered, nor be buried, they shall be says it’s in the “city of David,” which is adjacent south
for dung upon the face of the earth.” of the Old City and east of what many identify today as
www.HolyLandPhotos.org

This verse says explicitly that after the bones have Mount Zion.
been exhumed, they “shall not be gathered, nor be When King Solomon died, he also “slept with his
buried.”—they will not be returned to the tomb. This fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father”
did not happen when King Nebuchadnezzar and the (1 Kings 11:43). Other righteous kings were also buried

2  watch jerusalem
 alongside David in this tomb (1 Kings 14:31; 15:8; 2 Kings This remarkable history raises all sorts of questions.
8:24; 9:28). Why have the bones been left alone for thousands of
We also know there were separate burial sites years? Why would God, after safeguarding the bones of
for Judah’s exceedingly wicked kings. For example, the Jews’ greatest kings and prophets for 3,000 years,
2 Chronicles 21:20 records that when King Jehoram allow them to be discovered? What would God want us
died, they “buried him in the city of David, but not in to learn from this event?
the sepulchres of the kings.” Manasseh, another evil The prophecy in Jeremiah 7 and 8 answers all these
monarch, was buried “in his own house,” not in the questions.
tomb of the righteous kings (2 Chronicles 33:20).
Finally, we know that the primary tomb was Declaring King David
likely connected to the palace of King David, or at In almost every instance where the Bible talks about
least situated close by. The historical record, the this tomb or the bones of Judah’s righteous kings and
archaeological record and the biblical account all show prophets, it refers to King David. In some instances, it
that it was customary for both Jewish and non-Jewish refers to the “sepulchres of David”; others record that
monarchs and leaders to build their tombs under their the tomb is in the “city of David.”
homes. For example, 1 Samuel 25:1 records that the We need to think deeply about why God would
Prophet Samuel was buried “in his house at Ramah.” connect these righteous men to King David. By placing
(This is explained in more detail in “Where Is the Tomb the bones of these men alongside Israel’s greatest king,
of David?” page 10.) God connected the legacy of Judah’s righteous kings and
It is noteworthy that God would record so much prophets to the legacy of King David. The main reason
detail about the tombs of the kings. However, more these kings and prophets were righteous was that
sources than just the Bible discuss the tombs. they followed David’s example of faith and obedience.
For many centuries, the location of the tombs of the They held fast to the religion and religious practices
kings was public knowledge. After the Jews returned established by God through David.
to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and the city in the Through this tomb, God puts the spotlight on
late sixth century b.c.e., everyone knew the location of King David and his magnificent legacy and example!
the “sepulchres of David” (Nehemiah 3:16). Even King
Herod knew where the tomb was in the first century
c.e. Historical records indicate that the tombs were
even infiltrated by marauders searching for gold and
other wealth.
According to Josephus, when the Seleucid King
Antiochus vii attacked Jerusalem in the second
century b.c.e., the Jewish high priest Hyrcanus broke

King Herod raided the tomb;

though he found no money, he
did steal golden furniture and
other precious goods.
into the tomb of the kings to loot some of the wealth to
pay off Antiochus. A century later, King Herod raided
the tomb; though he found no money, he did steal
golden furniture and other precious goods.
Herod’s first incursion into the tombs proved fruitful, Across the valley from the City of David is the Mount
so he returned, hoping to find more treasure. According of Olives, which contains the graves of thousands of
to Josephus, Herod wanted to go all the way back to the Jews and Christians. Some authorities say the Jewish
bones of David and Solomon, but was stopped in his Cemetery there is the most ancient and most important
tracks when a fiery flame burst out from the tombs cemetery in Jerusalem. Many of the greatest rabbis and
and incinerated two of his guards. This terrified Herod Jewish scholars are buried in this cemetery.
public domain

so much that he had the entrance to the tomb sealed, But surely the most ancient and most important
making it virtually impossible for anyone to break into. cemetery in Jerusalem would be the one that contains

november-december 2020 3
 Sunset view of the Mount
of Olives in Jerusalem
(from the south)

The Mount of Olives contains the graves of thousands of

Jews and Christians. But surely the most ancient and most
important cemetery in Jerusalem would be the one that
contains the bones of the Jews’ greatest kings and prophets.

the bones of the Judah's greatest kings and prophets! Over the past three decades, a lot of dramatic
The Bible reveals that this tomb is in the City of archaeological evidence has been uncovered proving
David, and most probably in the vicinity of King David’s what the Bible records about King David, his royal
palace. It also prophesies that the specific location house and the united kingdom of Israel. The first big
of this great tomb will be known! find was the Tel Dan Stele, discovered in 1993—a stone
When this sensational discovery is made, the whole tablet inscribed with text that specifically mentions the
world will be reminded of King David’s legacy. Why would “house of David.”
God want humanity to focus on David? Ultimately, it points Many of the greatest finds have been discovered in
back to the special promise He made to David in 2 Samuel Jerusalem by archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar. In 2006, she
7 and repeated throughout the Bible: the promise that uncovered part of King David’s royal quarter. Since then,
the Messiah will come from the line of David and will she has uncovered part of King Solomon’s palace and
rule the Earth from the throne of David! Nehemiah’s wall, as well as bullae (clay seals) inscribed
This towering prophecy is discussed all through with the names of King Hezekiah and Isaiah, and two
the Bible. Isaiah wrote about this prophecy: “For of the Judean princes (mentioned in Jeremiah 38). All
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and these discoveries are directly connected to King David
the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his and the religious and political systems he created!
name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The All of these discoveries carry wonderful lessons for
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of us. For example, the bullae of the two princes, Jehucal
Andrew Shiva / Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0

Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace and Gedaliah, uncovered by Dr. Mazar in the City of
there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and David, invoke the history recorded in Jeremiah 38.
upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with These two Judean princes tried to have Jeremiah
judgment and with justice from henceforth even for killed, but God intervened and saved His prophet, who
ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” was able to continue his commission to uproot and to
(Isaiah 9:6-7; King James Version). plant the throne of King David. (To learn about this

4  watch jerusalem
commission, request The United States and Britain literal bones of King David and Judah’s righteous kings
in Prophecy.) and prophets to be discovered? Will this finally be the
These seals carry an encouraging lesson: God always dramatic discovery that causes this critical history to
protects those who love and obey Him! We all need to be resonate with people?
more like Jeremiah and deeply value the throne of David
and follow King David’s example of faith and obedience. Who Destroys the Bones?
Through archaeology, and the efforts Dr. Eilat Mazar, When the tomb of the kings is discovered, it will be—
Israel’s greatest king is being progressively brought back and must be—treated with tremendous respect. The
to life. discovery of human remains is deeply sensitive, and
The prophecy in Jeremiah 7 and 8 will continue this it’s hard to imagine anyone who reveres these towering
trend. We have already located the palace of David, and biblical figures wanting to disturb the bones in any way.
it is certain that the location of King David’s bones will But the prophecy in Jeremiah 8 clearly says these
be discovered. bones will be exhumed and then publicly destroyed.
Over the past 30 years, as more and more This is an act of towering contempt and hatred. Who
archaeological evidence has emerged, it has become does this? And why?
more difficult for skeptics to disregard the biblical To answer this question, we must look at other
account of King David. The evidence is now firmly prophecies describing events surrounding the
against the biblical minimalists, the people who Messiah’s arrival. These prophecies show that this
believe David was an imaginary figure or the leader terrible act will be committed by a modern resurrection
of an insignificant backwoods tribe. Even still, some of the Holy Roman Empire.
refuse to accept what the Bible, and even archaeological The prophecy in Daniel 11:40-45 describes this
discovers, reveal about King David. time. Here the Holy Roman Empire is called the
Most of us haven’t given enough attention and “king of the north.” After it destroys the “king of the
thought to the many sensational archaeological south,” this European power “shall enter also into the
discoveries proving the monarchy of Israel—and the beauteous land.” The passage continues by stating that
many lessons and warnings they carry for us today. his “palace” would be set up in “the beauteous holy
What will it take for us to give this subject the mountain”—Jerusalem.
attention it deserves? Is this why God will allow the DISCOVERY  PAGE 28  u

BUT WHAT ABOUT ‘KING DAVID’S TOMB’

ON MOUNT ZION?
Today many people believe Mount Zion is situated on the the Bible places the City of David and where King David is
southwest side of the Old City. On this hill, about 100 meters buried—was actually the smaller hill located directly south
from the Zion Gate, is a site known as “King David’s tomb,” of the Temple Mount and due east of the traditional
visited each year by thousands of Christians, Jews and “Mount Zion.”
Muslims. But both archaeology and the historical record Over the past three decades, many features have been
show that this popular tourist destination is neither David’s discovered in this location proving it to be biblical Mount
tomb nor Mount Zion.  Zion. These include the Gihon Spring, Hezekiah’s tunnel,
This site was first recognized as David’s tomb by King David’s palace and the Ophel royal quarter, as well as
Byzantine Christians in the ninth century C.E. This belief other small discoveries, such as the bullae of King Hezekiah,
was most likely based on a misreading of Josephus, the Isaiah and numerous princes and administrative officials.
famous Jewish historian. The identification of this site All these features and discoveries are linked to biblical
became solidified during the rule of the Catholic Crusaders, Mount Zion.
and for roughly 800 years it was assumed that this western Finally, few biblical-era remains have been discovered
hill was biblical Mount Zion. on the site the Byzantine Christians identified as Mount
In the 19th century, this belief began to be proved wrong Zion. The earliest city remains go back only as far the late
when archaeological excavations commenced. Scientists eighth century B.C.E., the time when King Hezekiah began
soon realized that the true Mount Zion—the one on which to expand Jerusalem to the West. n

november-december 2020 5
 Ethiopia’s
Republican
Guard in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia,
on September 10

What If Ethiopia Collapses?

Israelis should be concerned Ahmed deployed troops in a military operation in the
Tigray region. He said the deployment was instigated
about events in this crucial by “months of continued provocation and incitement”
East African nation. against the federal government by the Tigray regional
government.
By Callum Wood and Mihailo Zekic The main “provocation” leading to Mr. Abiy’s

E
decision was an apparent attack on an army base
thiopia is verging on civil war. This deeply located in Tigray, allegedly to steal military supplies, by
concerns Israel, for many reasons. In a nation with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (tplf).
a population of 108 million, a civil war could create The tplf is a political organization that helped
a massive refugee crisis in the region, which would put overthrow Ethiopia’s Communist government in 1991.
pressure on its neighbors, including Israel. It had ruled Ethiopia for decades under what was
More significantly, political tumult and civil war effectively a one-party dictatorship, despite the Tigray
would give Iran and radical Islam an opportunity to ethnic group  representing only about 7 percent
expand its sphere of influence and gain a strategic of the country’s population of over 100 million.
AMANUEL SILESHI/AFP via Getty Images

foothold in this vital territory. If Tehran somehow gets The tplf lost power in 2018. Ethiopia has since been
control of Ethiopia, it will have easy access to the Red Sea, ruled by Abiy, who is of the Oromo ethnic group,
a crucial sea lane that leads directly to the Jewish state. which represents roughly 35 percent of Ethiopia’s
population.
Civil War Imminent? The attack on the military base remains unconfirmed.
On November 4, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Some suspect that the story was a fabricated pretense

6  watch jerusalem
 to give Abiy the excuse he needed to militarily snuff out A six-month state of emergency has now been
tplf opposition. declared, with the Ethiopian military fully engaged in
The tplf politically controls the Tigray region, the Tigray region. Government forces—at least those
which has a higher standard of infrastructure than the who haven’t defected to the tplf—are marching their
rest of the country and well-organized security forces way to the Tigray capital, Mekelle. Critical Threats
independent of the national army. reported that the Ethiopian Army is stationed in Eritrea,
I nte r n a l c o n f l ic t i s n oth i n g n ew to Abiy ’s which borders the Tigray region. Meanwhile, the tplf
administration. The splintered factions and tribes launched a rocket attack at the airport in Asmara,
that make up the national mosaic are constantly at Eritrea’s capital.
odds. Often, these disagreements end in violence and
bloodshed. But a war with the Tigray region could have Conditioned for Collapse
nation-shaking consequences. Ethiopia’s population of 108 million people is extremely
Losing its disproportionate amount of power and diverse ethnically. The Oromo, the largest ethnic
influence has not made the Tigray elite happy. Ethiopia group, barely tops a third of Ethiopia’s population
was supposed to have parliamentary elections earlier at 35 percent. The next largest, the Amhara, makes
this year, but Abiy postponed them for another year up 28 percent of the population. The Tigray come in
due to covid-19. The Tigray region defied the order third with 7 percent of the population. Ethiopia is also
and held its own parliamentary elections against the extremely diverse religiously: Roughly 44 percent of
federal government’s wishes while calling Abiy’s actions Ethiopians follow the Ethiopian Orthodox Church,
dictatorial. In retaliation, the Ethiopian Parliament cut 31 percent are Muslim, and 23 percent belong to
off all federal funding for Tigray. Protestant groups.
More and more, the Tigray government is outright As small as the Tigray population is compared
rejecting the orders and leadership of the federal with the rest of the nation, the territory hosts much
government. For example, on October 30, a general of the nation’s military. One reason is it shared
appointed by Abiy to be stationed in Tigray couldn’t get border with Eritrea, a flashpoint for conflict in recent
to his post; the Tigray government notified him that it years. According to the Guardian, “Some analysts
wouldn’t recognize his appointment since it viewed estimate that Tigray could muster more than half of
Abiy’s mandate to rule as illegitimate. the armed forces’ total personnel and mechanized
At the outset of the crisis, foreign-policy analysts divisions ...” (November 6).
predicted the worst. Dr. Yohannes Woldemariam told The Tigray crisis comes at a time of serious social
the Telegraph that this “is an existential crisis and economic problems for Ethiopia. Though the nation
for Ethiopia. It could mean state collapse. has enjoyed robust economic growth in recent years, its
The whole region will be affected, from refugees poverty rate remains still at 23 percent, almost a quarter
to destabilization” (November 4; emphasis added). of the population, as of 2016. Ethiopian troops are also
Tsedale Lemma tweeted on
November 4 that Abiy’s mili-
tary venture “isn’t ‘a surgical Ethiopians call for the end of
the government’s military
operation’ which will quickly actions in the northern Tigray
end tplf, but an epistemic region on November 9.
rupture of the [Ethiopian]
Federation as we know it.”
One senior Tigrayan official
told Agence France- Presse,
“I think when it comes to
military mobilization, it’s
not child’s play. It can trigger
all-out war. … What they are
doing is playing with fire. …
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images

A small spark can ignite the

whole region. [A]nd I can
assure you we are capable
of defending ourselves”
(November 5).

november-december 2020 7
 currently involved in the civil war in Somalia. The answer can be found looking across the border to
country frequently experiences drought, and last year another country in the Horn of Africa embroiled in a
it had the worst locust infestation in 25 years. Ethiopia civil war: Somalia.
also harbors about 800,000 refugees from other
African countries. Opportunity
Analysts worry that these factors are creating the Since 2009, Somalia has been embroiled in a three-way
perfect storm for Ethiopia to collapse and dissolve into civil war between the government, the breakaway
different warring factions based on ethnicity, similar to region of Somaliland, and the Islamist terror group
what the former Yugoslavia went through in the 1990s. al-Shabaab. The faction to watch is al-Shabaab, which
Ethiopia also has serious problems with its controls a sizable amount of Somali territory. While
neighbors. It is in a major squabble with Egypt over the primarily based in Somalia, it operates around the
construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, world. Ethiopia currently has peacekeepers in Somalia
which promises to bring a gigantic source of power to fighting against al-Shabaab.
Ethiopia but threatens to dramatically diminish the flow If Ethiopia were to fall into chaos, it might give
of the Nile into Egypt. Many believe this could turn into a al-Shabaab opportunity to extend its tentacles
major conflict. across the border into a country that is just under
One has to ask then, if Ethiopia falls into a bloody a third Muslim. Islamic extremists within Ethiopia
crisis, who will fill the power vacuum? A potential are already taking advantage of the current conflict.
Ethiopia’s security agency
reported apprehending 14

CIVIL WAR
Syria people on November 14 for
Mediterranean plotting terror attacks. The
Sea Iraq militants apparently had

ON ISRAEL’S
Jerusalem jordan connections to the Islamic
State and al-Shabaab. But
Israel
al-Shabaab isn’t the ultimate

DOORSTEP
c o n c e r n h e re. W h i l e th e
terrorist group has histori-
cally been associated with al
Iran Qaeda, what is most alarming
Egypt PErsian
is its deepening relations
Gulf with Iran.
Te h ra n h a s s p o n s o re d
Saudi Arabia U.A.E. al-Shabaab attacks on United
Red
Sea States targets in Somalia. It
has also used Somalia to send
weapons to its proxy, the
Houthis, in Yemen, and to
other vulnerable countries
Oman such as South Sudan and the
Sudan Central African Republic.
Iran has also been using
eritrea Somalia as an entry point to
YEmen smuggle oil into Africa and
Tigray Mekele from there sell it to other
African countries under the
watch jerusalem/Edwin Trebels, Reese Zoellner

Gulf of Aden radar of American sanctions.

M o s t s i g n i f i c a n t l y, a l -
Shabaab has been  mining
SomaliLand Arabian Sea uranium from the territories it
Addis Ababa
controls and sending it to Iran,

Ethiopia N almost certainly to be used in

its nuclear program.
South Sudan
8  watch jerusalem
Somalia
Kenya
 The Quds Force, Iran’s elite foreign military unit, has In Libya and Ethiopia in Prophecy, Mr. Flurry
been actively sponsoring al-Shabaab and maintains writes: “Why did God inspire the mentioning of Libya
cells throughout Africa. The current leader of the Quds and Ethiopia? Every word in God’s inspired Bible has
Force, Ismail Qaani, has a history of work in Africa. And significance. God placed two nations in the same verse as
everywhere from Iraq to Lebanon to the Palestinian Egypt for a definite reason. This verse states that Libya
Territories, Iran has taken advantage of political and Ethiopia are also going to be closely allied with Iran!
instability to sponsor armed groups that eventually take
over the government.
Ismail Qaani,
Today, Islam is the second-largest religion in
commander
Ethiopia, behind Ethiopian Orthodoxy. A large portion of the Iranian
of the population would likely embrace a Muslim Quds Forces,
has a history
government. Abiy, while a Christian, belongs to the
of work in
majority-Muslim Oromo ethnic group. His father was Africa.
a Muslim. And while the majority-Christian Tigray are
historically hostile to Muslims, Abiy has been making
overtures to Ethiopia’s Muslims. He has released radical
Muslim activists imprisoned by the tplf. He also undid
the anti-Muslim propaganda the tplf sponsored when
in power. Muslims are freer and have more voice under
the current government.
There is a dubious legend that Mohammed once
made a visit to Ethiopia and successfully converted its “Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon defines [‘at his
king to Islam. This makes Ethiopia, in the eyes of some, steps’] as ‘in his company.’ The Moffatt translation
a dar al Islam (“land of Islam”). Because of this, some reads this way: ‘following in his train.’ So you need to
think Ethiopia should be reclaimed as a “land of Islam.” watch Libya and Ethiopia. They are about to fall
Writing for Religion Unplugged, Dr. Desta Heliso of under the heavy influence or control of Iran, the
the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology warned of king of the south. That is why they are subdued in the
“radicals within and outside Ethiopia, who are creating king of the north victory.”
Ethiopia’s imagined past as a land of Islam in order to As Mr. Flurry explains, the presence of Libya,
turn it into an Islamic state.” Ethiopia and Egypt in the alliance with Iran shows
For many years, Watch Jerusalem editor in chief that Tehran’s strategy is to control the entire Red Sea
Gerald Flurry has warned that Ethiopia will eventually passageway leading into the southern Mediterranean.
fall into Iran’s sphere of influence. Mr. Flurry bases this Interestingly, the current flashpoint in the brewing civil
forecast on the end-time prophecy in Daniel 11. “And at war is the Tigray region, the northernmost province
the time of the end shall the king of the south push at of Ethiopia.
him; and the king of the north shall come against him Directly to Tigray’s north is Eritrea, one of the
like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and gatekeepers of the narrow choke point of the southern
with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, Red Sea. Rumors abound that Eritrea will join the
and shall overflow, as he passes through” (verse 40). Ethiopian government in its fight against the Tigray.
In his free booklet The King of the South, Mr. Flurry This could destabilize Eritrea, which would give Iran
explains in detail that the “king of the south” in this the opportunity to interfere. (Iran is already firmly
prophecy is an Iran-led radical Islamist axis of Middle embedded in Yemen.)
Eastern countries. Verse 40 says Iran and radical Islam Time will tell whether Eritrea will get involved in
will instigate a major conflict with Germany and Europe the fight, whether al-Shabaab will gain a foothold in
(the “king of the north”), who will descend on the Middle Ethiopia, or whether the conflict in Tigray will lead
East and conquer Iran and its allies. to regime change—but we need to watch the Horn of
But notice verse 43: “But he shall have power over the Africa closely.
treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious While Ethiopia is predominantly Christian, Bible
Anadolu Agency / Contributor

things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians prophecy foretells of an Islamic takeover in the near
shall be at his steps.” This verse identifies some of the future. Once that happens, the stage will be set for a
countries that will be allied with the king of the south spectacular clash of civilizations. This clash is a major
and that will be destroyed. These include Ethiopia and part of the Bible’s forecasts of future events—and is a
Eritrea (a country that was part of Ethiopia until 1991). sign the Messiah is coming! n

november-december 2020 9
Ancient
catacombs
in Rabat,
Malta

Where Is
the Tomb
of David?
The Bible provides a remarkable amount of information
about King David’s sepulcher. By Stephen Flurry
10  watch jerusalem
 D
id you know that the righteous kings of by the king’s garden, even unto the stairs that go down
Israel who sat on the throne of King David were from the city of David.”
all buried in a massive tomb along with David These “stairs” may refer to the Stepped Stone
and Solomon? The Bible makes several references to Structure—the remains of which exist in the City
“the sepulchres of the kings.” These sepulchers are of David today—or a stairwell that merges into that
probably rooms inside one large tomb. structure. Nehemiah 12:37 describes a procession of
At the time of Nehemiah and the reconstruction of musicians that went northward from the Gihon Spring,
Jerusalem in the fifth century b.c.e., these tombs were up “the stairs of the city of David,” and then beyond
apparently still a well-known fixture within the city. David’s palace—indicating that these stairs end near
In the first century c.e., the New Testament apostle the palace.
Peter stated that the location of David’s sepulcher was Back in Nehemiah 3, after the Spring Gate and the
common knowledge. stairs are listed, we read this: “After him repaired
Historians have recorded incidents of people trying Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district
to get into those tombs—and succeeding, to a point, on of Beth-zur, unto the place over against the sepulchres
a couple of occasions. However, in one instance in the of David ...” (verse 16). So Nehemiah the son of Azbuk (a
first century b.c.e., when two men tried to enter the different Nehemiah than the author of the book) carried
tombs further, they were struck dead.
That caused so much fear that nobody Amazingly, Scripture indicates that the
again attempted to enter these tombs.
Is it possible that God did not want
tombs of the kings will be uncovered in
those tombs opened at that time? this end time. What makes it especially
Amazingly, Scripture indicates that interesting is the fact that there is
the tombs of the kings will be uncovered
in this end time. What makes it especially so much evidence within Scripture
interesting is the fact that there is indicating where this grand sepulcher is.
so much evidence within Scripture
indicating where this grand sepulcher is. Every on where Shallun left off—”unto the place over against
indication is those tombs are right under David’s palace, the sepulchres of David.” The Jewish inhabitants of the
or very close to it. city at this time apparently knew of these tombs and
And in 2005, a small part of David’s palace was their location. And from this verse, it appears the tombs
discovered. Might the tombs of the kings be another were located next to where the stairs ended.
spectacular find that archaeologists will uncover in Nehemiah’s counterclockwise description shows that
the near future? the tombs of David—or at least their entrance—lie on
the eastern side of the City of David. They are described
Where Is David’s Tomb? as being between the Spring Gate and the Water Gate,
Where was David buried? The Bible provides a lot of which is the next gate listed (verse 26). That still covers
evidence to answer. a large area. If, however, the tombs are located between
A good starting place is the book of Nehemiah. the “stairs that go down” (verse 15) and the “upper house”
Set during the time when the Jews were rebuilding (verse 25)—which Solomon added to David’s palace
Jerusalem a century after the city had been sacked immediately to the north—this would considerably
by Babylon, it gives some remarkable detail about the narrow down the possible location of the access point.
physical layout of the city at that time. It has become If these tombs lie on the east side of David’s palace,
even more interesting in light of recent archaeological “over against” the section of wall that Nehemiah
discoveries in Jerusalem. repaired, that would place the entrance somewhere
Nehemiah 3 contains a list of the numerous gates around where Dr. Eilat Mazar began digging at David’s
that surrounded the city, starting at the Sheep Gate palace in 2005.
on the north (verse 1) and moving around in order,
counterclockwise. Verse 15 describes the Fountain Under David’s Palace?
Gate, also known as the Spring Gate. In The Complete Several scriptures refer to David and other kings of
istock/Konstantin Aksenov

Guide to the Temple Mount Excavations, Dr. Eilat Mazar Judah as being buried in the City of David (e.g. 1 Kings
notes that this gate is located around the Gihon Spring. 2:10; 11:43; 14:31; 15:8; 2 Kings 8:24).
This verse says that after fixing this gate, a man named David’s palace, as has been proved in Mazar’s
Shallun repaired “the wall of [or from] the pool of Shelah excavations, was constructed outside the walls of the

november-december 2020 11
 Ruins of King Omri's
palace in Samaria, Israel
(photo from early 1900s)

Jebusite fortress that David conquered in 2 Samuel Throughout 1 Samuel, David continually turned to him
5:6-8. For years, it was commonly assumed David for guidance and encouragement. And when Samuel
built his palace inside the city walls, because scholars died, David was on hand as the Israelites buried him
always considered it part of the City of David. But there in his house.
is no way a glorious palace would have fit within the An article in Biblical Archaeology Review, “Lost
cramped Jebusite city. David built it adjacent to the Tombs of the Israelite Kings” (July-August 2007),
northern walls and then went down to the “hold”—that described an interesting find regarding the palace
preexisting fortress—when the Philistines attacked of the Israelite King Omri (1 Kings 16), which was
(verse 17). Once it was attached to the city walls and discovered in Samaria. Norma Franklin wrote that the
more strongly fortified on the exterior, the palace would builders carved a platform out of rock at one of the
have been considered part of the City of David. region’s higher points, similar to how David’s palace was
So when the Bible says the kings of Judah were constructed. Franklin believes she located two tombs
buried in the City of David, that certainly could under Omri’s palace, situated below the large courtyard
include somewhere under the palace (see infographic, of the palace. She wrote that Omri’s tomb was actually
pages 14-15). built first, before the palace was erected. She also
It turns out that it was fairly standard practice described tunnels that were hewn into the side of the
for Judah’s leaders to build their tombs under their rock to make the tombs accessible to visitors.
homes. Several scriptural references associate tombs of The Israelites in Omri’s day may well have modeled
prophets and kings with their actual place of residence. their palaces after the design of David’s palace,
For example, when the Prophet Samuel died, the especially considering Israel and Judah were once
Israelites “buried him in his house at Ramah” (1 Samuel united under his reign.
25:1). The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary In her article, Franklin quoted Isaiah 14:18: “All
says this refers not to his dwelling-house, “but a building the kings of the nations, All of them, sleep in glory,
contiguous to it, built as a family cemetery; his own Every one in his own house.” The king’s tomb, Franklin
Matson Collection / Library of Congress

mausoleum. The Hebrews took as great care to provide said, symbolized his house, which is why they were
graves anciently as people do in the East still, where constructed underneath the palace. “David and his
every respectable family has its own house of the dead ...” descendants, from Rehoboam to Ahaz, were all buried
(emphasis added throughout). in their ‘houses,’ that is, in their palaces,” she wrote.
Samuel’s burial is especially significant because At times, God prevented certain evil kings from
he was David’s mentor. He anointed David as king. having this noble burial. In the case of Jehoram,

12  watch jerusalem

 2 Chronicles 21:20 tells us that he was buried “in the city The ‘High Place’
of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings”—plural. Isaiah 22 relates a story about a treasurer named
Manasseh, one of Judah’s worst kings, was not buried Shebna who served in Hezekiah’s court. Notice how
in David’s sepulchre, but rather “in his own house” God used His prophet to correct this man for his pride:
(2 Chronicles 33:20). 2 Kings 21:18 elaborates, saying “What hast thou here, and whom hast thou here, That
Manasseh was buried “in the garden of his own house.” thou hast hewed thee out here a sepulchre, Thou that
This was undoubtedly a palace that Manasseh or one of hewest thee out a sepulchre on high, And gravest a
his ancestors constructed—one with a family tomb on habitation for thyself in the rock?” (verse 16).
the grounds. Apparently, God sent His prophet to the very place
Asa, on the other hand, was a righteous king. When Shebna was busily and presumptuously preparing his
he died, 1 Kings 15:24 tells us that he “was buried own grand sepulcher. Why would this vain man have
with his fathers in the city of David his father.” That been carving out a tomb into a rock “on high”? Because
is a clear reference to the tombs of the kings. After that’s where the kings in Judah were buried. Shebna
Josiah, another righteous king, died in battle at the coveted a “nest on high,” just like the man spoken of in
Valley of Megiddo, his servants brought his body back Habakkuk 2:9.
to Jerusalem so he could be “buried in the sepulchres Ezekiel 43:7 references the fact that the kings in
of his fathers” (2 Chronicles 35:24). So while there Judah were buried “on high”: “And He said unto me:
might be many smaller tombs scattered under the ‘Son of man, this is the place of My throne, and the
City of David, there is also one massive tomb for the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the
righteous kings. midst of the children of Israel for ever; and the house of
Besides these biblical references, archaeologists Israel shall no more defile My holy name, neither they,
have also found evidence that monarchs of neighboring nor their kings, by their harlotry, and by the carcasses
kingdoms, including the kings and queens of Assyria of their kings in their high places.” In this prophetic
and five Babylonian kings, were also buried in their vision, God is speaking of a time when He will rule in
own palaces. In his article “Death Formulae and the Israel and remove all barriers that once divided Him
Burial Place of the Kings of the House of David,” Tel from His people. He describes the place of His throne
Aviv University historian and archaeologist Nadav as being in close proximity to the place where the kings’
Naaman wrote, “[T]he practice of burying kings in bodies currently lay. This suggests that the tombs are
their ‘houses,’ namely their palaces, conceived as somewhere near the throne room. The International
places of dwelling and rest in life and afterlife, was Critical Commentary says, “It is implied that the kings
widespread all over the ancient Near East. This were buried ... near to their palace.”
supports the assumption that the kings of the house of Ezekiel says the kings were buried “in their high
David were also buried in the royal palace” (Biblica 2004, places,” where Shebna arrogantly tried to carve out his
Vol. 85, Fasc. 2). tomb. The question is, where would the “high place” be
If David expanded northward from the Jebusite at the time David’s sepulchers were carved?
city to build his palace, it would have made sense to As Dr. Mazar wrote in her groundbreaking 1997
also build new tombs underneath that palace, as Omri article, “We know quite a bit about this city [the City
would later do. And if the design of David’s tomb was of David]—from excavations, topography and the
anything like Omri’s, the entrance could be close to the biblical text” (“Excavate King David’s Palace,” Biblical
courtyard of David’s palace, much of which has already Archaeology Review, January-February 1997). Indeed,
been exposed by Dr. Mazar’s excavations. TOMBS  PAGE 16  u
Mustafaa/Wikimedia Commons

The “Shebna inscription”—a tomb inscription believed to belong to

the Shebna of Isaiah 22, with text matching the biblical description

november-december 2020 13
 Where Are the
TOMBS OF THE KINGS?
REMAINS OF THE GATE OF “THE OLD CITY”
MIDDLE GATE Nehemiah 3:6
Jeremiah 39:3
GATE OF EPHRAIM
Nehemiah 12:39
THE VALLEY GATE
Nehemiah 2:13, 15; 3:13 TOWER OF THE “FURNACES”
Nehemiah 3:11

Western
Hill

City of
David

Hinnom
Valley

THE SILOAM / “SHELAH” POOL

Nehemiah 3:15

DAM

DUNG GATE KING’S GARDEN FOUNTAIN GATE

Nehemiah 3:14 Nehemiah 3:15 Nehemiah 2:14; 3:15; 12:37
Also known as the Spring
Gate, this gate may have
been situated farther north.
 This infographic shows Jerusalem in the fifth century B.C.E., the time period of Ezra and Nehemiah. The city
had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E. The Jews returned from exile in the late sixth century and,
under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua, laid the foundations of the altar and the temple. During the time
of Ezra and Nehemiah, the wall around Jerusalem was reconstructed. The construction of this wall, including the
situation of specific gates and even the location of the “sepulchre of David,” is recorded in detail in Nehemiah 3.

FISH GATE TOWER OF TOWER OF SHEEP GATE  GATE OF “CHAMBER OF THE CORNER”
Nehemiah 3:3 HANANEL “HAMMEAH” Nehemiah 3:1 THE GUARD Nehemiah 3:31-32
Nehemiah 3:1 Nehemiah 3:1 2 Kings 11:19
“GATE OF HAMMIPHLEAD”
Nehemiah 3:31

HORSE GATE
Nehemiah 3:28

WALL OF OPHEL
Nehemiah 3:27

Ophel “TOWER THAT STANDETH OUT”

Nehemiah 3:25-27

WATER GATE
Nehemiah 3:26

DAVID’S PALACE
The term “above
the house of David”
in Nehemiah 12:37
implies David's
Palace was still
standing at the time
of Nehemiah. Also
note Jeremiah 36:12.

Sepulcher of David STEPPED STONE

Nehemiah 3:16 STRUCTURE
Nehemiah 3:15; 12:37

GIHON SPRING
2 Chronicles 32:30; 33:14
u TOMBS  FROM PAGE 13
the biblical text reveals that the only royal building Why did Herod do this secretly, at night? He certainly
constructed at the time the tombs were made was King had enough power to do as he pleased in Jerusalem.
David’s palace. As she went on to explain, when the Perhaps since he was half-Jewish, his conscience
Philistines approached to attack the city, David went prevented him from openly desecrating the tombs of
down to the fortress. In other words, David’s palace was the kings. Or maybe he knew that raiding the tombs in
broad daylight would trigger
Will the tombs of the kings be located under a war with the Jews.
The success of this
that palace? It would be an electrifying plunder made Herod
discovery that would give even greater greedier. “[H]e had a great
desire to make a more dili-
credence to the reliability of the historical gent search, and to go farther
account contained within the pages of the Bible. in, even as far as the very
bodies of David and Solomon,”
situated on the highest point of the city. Before Solomon Josephus wrote. However, as two of Herod’s guards
enlarged the city, the palace was the “high place.” approached the bones of David and Solomon, according
So when God says the bones of Judah’s kings were to Josephus, they were killed “by a flame that burst out”
buried in their “high places,” it’s logical to assume on them! By all appearances, God struck them dead!
they were buried at the peak of the city during David’s This supernatural jolt prompted Herod to abandon
reign—just underneath the palace. the project and to erect a monument. “So he was terribly
frightened, and went out, and built a propitiatory
Raiding the Tombs monument of that fright he had been in; and this of
Here is how Josephus, the famous first-century Jewish white stone, at the mouth of the sepulcher, and that at
historian, described King David’s burial: “He was great expense also” (ibid).
buried by his son Solomon, in Jerusalem, with great Of the three tombs discovered in the Kidron Valley
magnificence, and with all the other funeral pomp in 1989, two had stone doors with hinges sealing the
which kings use to be buried with; moreover, he had entrance; one even had an intact locking device. “Hinged
great and immense wealth buried with him  ....” stone doors are rare in the tombs of the Second Temple
The wealth within this tomb was no secret, nor was period; they are mostly found in the largest and most
its location. In the second century b.c.e., about 830 sumptuously appointed tombs, such as the tombs of the
years after David was buried, the first known raid of the kings. This method of sealing burial chambers became
tomb occurred. As Josephus described it, Hasmonean more common in the late Roman period ...” (Hillel Geva,
leader Johanan Hyrcanus was under siege in Jerusalem Ancient Jerusalem Revealed). Perhaps Herod built a
by Antiochus vii of the Seleucid Empire. In desperation, huge impenetrable door blocking access to the tombs
he forged a truce agreement that involved a payment after the frightening incident involving his two guards;
of 3,000 talents of silver. Having no other means of maybe he erected a huge monument in front of a hinged
acquiring the money, Hyrcanus opened one room of door that was already there. In any event, the tomb was
David’s sepulcher, withdrew 3,000 talents, and paid well fortified after those two robbers were struck dead.
Antiochus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 13, Chapter 8, It’s a fascinating bit of history.
Number 4).
Hyrcanus only raided one room of the tombs. A Location Still Known
hundred years later, King Herod determined to pick up A generation after Herod’s death, we find a reference
where Hyrcanus left off. Known for his vast building to the tombs of the kings in the New Testament book
projects throughout Jerusalem, Herod had heard that of Acts. Speaking in c.e. 31, the Apostle Peter said,
Hyrcanus had left behind a tremendous amount of “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the
wealth. Josephus related that Herod planned a raid for patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and
some time, then “he opened that sepulcher by night, his sepulchre is with us unto this day” (Acts 2:29; King
and went into it, and endeavored that it should not be James Version). Peter referred to David’s tomb as if its
at all known in the city, but took only his most faithful location were common knowledge in Jerusalem at that
friends with him. As for any money, he found none, time. In his sermon, he was discussing the resurrection
as Hyrcanus had done, but that furniture of gold, and of Jesus Christ. David wasn’t yet resurrected, Peter told
those precious goods that were laid up there; all which the people. He’s over there still lying in his tomb. (Also
he took away” (ibid, Book 16, Chapter 7, Number 1). note Jeremiah 30:9.)

16  watch jerusalem

 Josephus was born a few years after Peter made that David’s tomb. This is an important reference because
remark. Putting Peter’s comment together with the it is long after Titus sacked Jerusalem in c.e. 70,
history Josephus wrote about, clearly, the whereabouts indicating that the tombs escaped desecration.
of David’s tomb was known during the first century c.e. So as late as the third century—nearly 1,200 years
Even as late as the early third century, we find a after David’s burial—we find a clear reference to the
historical reference to David’s sepulcher. In the Tosefta location of the tombs of the kings. And besides the
(c.e. 220–230), there is a dialogue about what to do wealth confiscated by Hyrcanus and Herod, its contents
about tombs that were near cities. It explains that, were still unmolested.
except for kings and prophets, the Israelites always Since that time, David’s sepulcher has remained
buried their dead outside the city walls. “Now were hidden from world view.
not the graves of the house of David and the grave
of Hulda the prophetess in Jerusalem,” it says, “and Discovery Awaits
no one ever laid a hand on them” to move them. Then Excavation in recent years is bringing the history of
R. Aqiba responds, “What proof is there from the fact? Israel’s kings—even as early as King David—back to
In point of fact they had underground channels, and life from the ancient soil of Jerusalem. A substantial
it would remove uncleanness to the Qidron Brook” portion of David’s palace has been uncovered in
(Tosefta, Fourth Division, Neziqin, Baba Batra 1:11; Jacob the City of David. More excavation has yet to take
Neusner translation). place there.
This description of the tombs having underground Will the tombs of the kings be located under that
channels that empty into the Kidron Valley indicates palace? It would be an electrifying discovery that
that David’s tomb lay along the eastern ridge of the City would give even greater credence to the reliability of
of David, as Nehemiah suggested. More importantly, the the historical account contained within the pages of
Tosefta relates that no one laid a hand on the contents of the Bible. n

The City of David’s Stepped

Stone Structure, built to
support David’s palace,
alongside the Kidron Valley
ianscott / CC BY-SA 2.0

november-december 2020 17
Children from Hispin,
volunteering at the
excavation, point to the
engraved figures.
walls, and a basalt stone engraving of the same
moon-god dating to the same period. The Hispin gods,
then, were probably a local copy of the royal Geshurite-
Canaanite moon-god cult centered at this capital.
The Bible contains several details regarding the
relationship between King David and the Geshurite
kingdom. 1 Samuel 27:8 reveals that David and his men
“made a raid upon the Geshurites” during the days of
King Saul. (This raid took place while David was residing
at the Philistine city Ziklag. Last year, the discovery
of this site made world headlines.) Later, David took
“Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur” as his
wife (2 Samuel 3:3). It was from this ill-fated, diplomatic
union that his son Absalom and daughter Tamar
were born.
After Tamar was raped by her half-brother Amnon,
Absalom killed Amnon and fled to the land of Geshur,
where he stayed for three years to escape the fallout of

Fortress on
his actions (2 Samuel 13). Perhaps he even spent time
at this fortress, which would have been close to the
northern boundary of Geshurite territory.

the Golan
David secured control over the Geshurite kingdom
and even further north (e.g. 1 Chronicles 18; 1 Kings
5:1). The returning Absalom would eventually be killed
while attempting to overthrow his father. His daughter
Maacah (named after his Geshurite mother), however,
would go on to become the wife of David’s grandson
An exciting discovery: A Rehoboam—and thus would produce the next heir to
lookout post, possibly built the throne of Judah: the sinful King Abijam (1 Kings
15:1-2). Interestingly, she would eventually be deposed
at the command of David’s by her grandson for the idol worship she brought into
father-in-law. By Christopher Eames Judah—likely the worship of the very same Geshurite
moon-god (1 Kings 15:13).

E
xcavations conducted over the summer by The kingdom of Geshur (including the Hispin
the  Israel Antiquities Authority in the far fortress) would have been well familiar with the key
north of Israel have uncovered an impressive individuals described in the Bible. Based on the dating,
fortification dating to the time of King David (11th to the Hispin fortress may have even been constructed at
10th centuries b.c.e.). The fortress, discovered near the the order of Talmai himself.
Golan Heights town of Hispin, is believed to have been A number of other ancient Geshurite city-sites are
built as part of the kingdom of Geshur, which controlled known, including Tel Hadar, Tel En Gev and Tel Sorag—
this area and had close ties to King David. but the site at Hispin is unique in its northern location
The fortress was situated on a strategic hilltop on the Golan. The site has proved exciting to the local
location overlooking the El-Al canyon, sporting community, whose “Golanite” residents and youth have
1.5-meter-thick walls built of large basalt boulders. joined the excavations.
One clue revealing ownership of the fortress came Hagar Ben-Dov describes the outreach: “For us in
from one of the wall boulders near the entrance: The the Israel Antiquities Authority, it’s very important to
Yaniv Berman, Israel Antiquities Authority

stone bears an engraving of two horned moon-gods with connect the people that live nearby the excavation to
outstretched arms. the story of this place. The students are very excited to
A near-identical discovery was made last year at Tel hear that here we have found buildings from the period
Et-Tell (Bethsaida). Tel Et-Tell is believed to have been they learn about in school—King David, about his son
the capital of the kingdom of Geshur. A number of Absalom, about the Iron Age. And when they see it here,
impressive finds have been found at the site, including in the earth, they feel the connection between the story
a massive 10th-century b.c.e. gatehouse, 6-meter-thick and the reality.” n

18  watch jerusalem

 “Abraham Makes the Enemies
Flee Who Hold His Nephew”
(ANTONIO TEMPESTA, 1555–1630)

Uncovering the Battle

That Changed the World
Long before Sparta’s 300, there was Abraham’s 319. By Christopher Eames

I
t’s one of the most fascinating and gripping story “is almost monotonous in its detail of names
stories in the book of Genesis. It’s also the earliest and places, none of which can be verified by outside
account of warfare in the Bible. In Genesis 14, four biblical sources. That makes scholars nervous. …
powerful eastern kings ally against an inferior force [I]t raises many unnerving questions about the histo-
of five Levantine kings. The smaller city-states are ricity of the whole chapter. Like, maybe it really isn’t
easily defeated, and the people captured, including the true, after all” (BibleWise; emphasis added throughout).
nephew of Abram (later named Abraham). Pro f . R o n a l d H e n d e l a g re e s : “ T h e c u r re nt
What happens next is so astounding, most people consensus is that there is little or no historical
reject the tale as fiction. The patriarch Abram rallies memory of pre-Israelite events or circumstances in
319 of his servants and vanquishes the Mesopotamian Genesis” (The Book of Genesis: Composition, Reception,
juggernaut. The captives, including his relatives, and Interpretation).
are freed, and Abram returns to Canaan with These bold claims simply are not true. A broad body
tremendous fanfare. of evidence supports the history recorded throughout
public domain

Many scientists and academics question this story. the book of Genesis, and specifically, the true “World
Bible scholar Mary Jane Chaignot wrote that the War i” in Genesis 14.

november-december 2020 19
“But Chodorlahomor and
Melchisedech had long
ago been banished to
mythland ... [scholarly] Hattusa
criticism could not admit
that archaeological Kultepe
discovery had restored them
to actual history. Writers, Old Hittite Kingdom
accordingly, in complacent
ignorance of the cuneiform
texts, told the Assyriologists
that their translations and
interpretations were alike
erroneous.” Mediterranean Sea
~Catholic Encyclopedia
Jordan
Setting the Scene
Valley Sodom and Gomorrah

According to the biblical account, the Jordan

Kings Zeboiim and Admah?
Zoar
Valley was subject to Chedorlaomer, king of Elam.
His vassal territory included five small kingdoms,
namely Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and N
Zoar (Genesis 14:2-3). The local monarchs of these
kingdoms were “servants” to the Elamite king and
paid him regular tribute. One of the key characters in
Genesis 14 is Abram’s nephew Lot, who had recently
moved to the land of Sodom.
In the 13th year of their oppression, the five valley The Enemy Juggernaut
kings rebelled against their Elamite oppressor. In Chedorlaomer’s Elamite empire, situated in what is now
response, Chedorlaomer formed a coalition with three southwest Iran, was a well-known, well-established
other regional powers and marched on the Jordan entity during this period. And the name Chedorlaomer
Valley, determined to beat the rebels into submission. is a recognized Elamite name, Kudur-Lagomer.
Genesis 14 lists the names of both sides of this “Shinar” is the biblical name for Sumer (pronounced
conflict. The aggressors, led by Chedorlaomer, Shumer), the Mesopotamian kingdom of the Sumerians.
included Amraphel, king of Shinar; Arioch, king of (This kingdom is regarded as the “earliest-known
Ellasar; and Tidal, “king of Goiim.” The Jordan Valley civilization,” a description confirmed in Genesis 11:1-2.)
alliance included Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Sumer included the famous city of Babylon. The
Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Sumerian kingdom eventually became known as the
Zeboiim; and an unnamed king of Bela, or Zoar. Babylonian Empire. The name of the leader of the
watch jerusalem/christopher eames, reese zoellner

Biblical chronology places the events of Genesis 14 Sumerians, Amraphel, is notably Semitic.
sometime during the start of the second millennium The kingdom Ellasar most likely represents the
b.c.e., around the 19th century. Historians debate Mesopotamian kingdom of Larsa, which emerged as
about the precise dating and chronology of the remains a power player for a short window during the early
relating to this event. They also debate the exact identity second millennium. Arioch, king of Ellasar, was a
of the kings listed in Genesis 14, but their names and name common in north Mesopotamia. Arioch may be
nationalities match known polities during this general positively identified as the final king of Larsa, Rim-Sin i,
time period. whose Semitic name is Eri-aku.

20  watch jerusalem

 has been identified as the archaeological site Zoara in
southern Jordan.

REgional Powers
But as Genesis 14 reveals, these five Jordan Valley
city-states were not the only ones to bear the brunt of
invasion. Genesis 14:5-7 record that, as the four kings

of genesis 14 invaded the Levant, various tribes were assaulted en

masse, including the Rephaim, Zuzim, Emim, Horites,
Amalekites and western Amorites. Verse 7 indicates that
Using Genesis 14, archaeology and King Chedorlaomer and his allies zig-zagged through
other historical sources, we can create
the Levant, effecting maximum destruction. Various
a reasonably accurate map showing
the geographic size of Chedorlaomer’s peoples were attacked in specific cities. Others were
alliance and the Jordan Valley alliance slaughtered throughout their entire country (such as
that was conquered. the Horites and the Amalekites).
T ig
r i s Ri v

Finally, the Jordan Valley kings emerged in what

must have seemed a futile defense. The battle was
er

Eup staged in the “vale of Siddim—the same is the Salt

h rat
es Sea” (verse 3). Unsurprisingly, the five valley kings
Ri
ve were defeated, with the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah
r
fleeing and bogging down in “slime pits” that filled the
valley. Others fled to the mountains. The victorious
Chedorlaomer pillaged Sodom and Gomorrah and
Babylon Susa departed with an abundance of goods and captives
Sumer (verses 10-11).
Larsa
Ur Elamite Abraham to the Rescue
Kingdom Abram’s nephew Lot was among King Chedorlaomer’s
captives (Genesis 14:12). When Abram heard news of
Lot’s capture, he immediately leapt into action. “And
there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the
Hebrew—now he dwelt by the terebinths of Mamre the
Amorite …. And when Abram heard that his brother was
taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his
house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far
Finally, there is “Tidal, king of Goiim.” The polity as Dan” (verses 13-14; “Dan” here is an anachronistic
here is ambiguous (the Hebrew Goiim meaning term, added later by one of the Bible’s early editors; it
“nations” or “peoples”), but Tidal is a recognized refers to the furthest northern point of ancient Israel,
Hittite name, Tudhalia. Several Hittite rulers bore this the location to which the tribe of Dan later migrated).
name. The Hittite empire was based in modern-day Moving swiftly with his small force, Abram soon
Turkey and was comprised of numerous tribes and caught up with the massive foreign armies. At Dan,
peoples, thus befitting the name “king of nations” or Abram divided his men into smaller squads and, under
“peoples.” cover of darkness, attacked Chedorlaomer’s forces using
As for the five kings in the Jordan Valley, they are guerrilla warfare tactics. “And [Abram] divided himself
not mentioned in historical or archaeological records; against them by night, he and his servants, and smote
these were small city-states, not large empires like them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the
those that bore down on them. However, the city- left hand of Damascus” (verse 15).
state of Sodom has been identified by archaeologists At this point, King Chedorlaomer’s armies were just
as Tall el-Hammam (sidebar, page 22). The city-state about to exit the Levant. Tidal’s army would have been
of Gomorrah is believed to be one of the many about to make the shorter journey north into Anatolia,
unexcavated ancient settlements near Sodom. The while the three remaining armies would turn eastward
exact location of Admah is uncertain, but there is toward Mesopotamia to return their territories. But
an apparent mention of this city in the Ebla Tablets their effort to return home as victors never materialized.
(dating a few centuries before this war). Zeboiim is Verse 17 records the total defeat of King Chedorlaomer
also unknown. The twin-named city-state Bela-Zoar and his allies.

november-december 2020 21
 According to Genesis 14, the captives were freed, to the desert regions of Kavir and Lut, and westwards
together with the ransacked goods. A triumphant into Mesopotamia.”
Abram returned home where he was greeted by the Elam began its superpower status first with the
representatives of many grateful peoples, including the Shimaki dynasty, followed by a rich Sukkalmah period.
king of Sodom and, most notably, “Melchizedek king of Remarkeably, this eastern kingdom of Elam’s diplomatic,
Salem … priest of God the Most High” (verse 18). commercial and military interests extended as far west
as Syria—the territory of the Levant! Historian Joshua
But Is There a Historical Setting? Mark writes: “Even though details of Elamite culture
How well do the biblical events fit with the known, are vague during this period, it is clear that trade was
wider geopolitical picture? firmly established and lucrative. Excavations at Susa
The events described in Genesis 14 fit squarely [Elam’s capital] have unearthed artifacts from India and
within what is recognized as the “Elamite Conquest” various points in Mesopotamia and the Levant.” Could
period. According to conventional chronology, around some of these artifacts have come as tribute from the
2000 b.c.e. Elam sacked Ur and effectively ended vassal Jordan Valley kings?
the dominance of the Sumerian empire. Elam was Prof. Kenneth Kitchen writes, “[I]t is only in
catapulted to new, powerful heights. this particular period (2000–1700) that the eastern
In The Routledge Handbook of the Peoples and realm of Elam intervened extensively in the politics
Places of Ancient Western Asia, historian Trevor Bryce of Mesopotamia—with its armies—and sent its
writes: “Elam [now] became one of the largest and most envoys far west into Syria to Qatna. Never again
powerful of the western Asian kingdoms with extensive did Elam follow such wide-reaching policies. So,
diplomatic, commercial and military interests both in in terms of geopolitics, the eastern alliance in
Mesopotamia and Syria. Its territories extended north Genesis 14 must be treated seriously as an archaic
to the Caspian Sea, south to the Persian Gulf, eastwards memory preserved in the existing book of Genesis …”

THE found of mud brick structures that suddenly disappeared.

Skeletons lay mangled. Clay pottery fragments were

RISE discovered to have melted into glass. Zircon crystals in the

pottery, upon analysis, were shown to have formed within

AND one second—the result of superheating to temperatures

perhaps as hot as the surface of the sun. A “tidal wave” of

FALL boiling hot salt swept over the land. Mineral grains had
rained down, carried by scorching, high-force winds. Ash

OF and debris, several feet thick, were left behind within

the wider 193-square-mile area of destruction—a scene

SODOM
A pottery shard from Tal of utter carnage of biblical proportions. The estimated
el-Hamman, its surface
melted into glass. regional population of 40,000 to 65,000 people would have
been killed instantly by this strange event.
The location of Sodom has long been debated, but new What caused the catastrophe? Scientists don’t know.
archaeological evidence points to Tall el-Hammam, which One theory is that an exploding meteor may have been the
sits on the northeastern edge of the Dead Sea. This was cause—an “airburst” event that would have required at least
no small city: During this Middle Bronze Age period, Tall a 10-megaton yield to inflict the type of damage witnesed
el-Hammam was a fortress of 85 acres, consisting of (over 650 times the blast yield of the Hiroshima atomic
an upper and lower city, with an additional 240-acre bomb). Whatever happened, the region was left uncultivable
P. Silvia, Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project

occupational area outside the city walls. and inhospitable for the next 500 years.
Many have heard the story of the fire-and-brimstone “Then the Lord caused to rain upon Sodom and upon
destruction of Sodom by God. But many may not realize that Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;
evidence of this event exists. and He overthrew those cities, and all the Plain, and all the
Around the early 18th century B.C.E., this site (as inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground”
well as several others surrounding) came to an almost (Genesis 19:24-25). Read our article “Sodom and Gomorrah
inexplicable, cataclysmic end. Burned foundations were Proved!” for more information (watchJerusalem.co.il/489).  n

22  watch jerusalem

 (On the Reliability of the Old

Chedorlaomer’s
Testament).
And what about the man
at the center of it all, King

invasion
Chedorlaomer, Kudur-La-
gomer? It is notable that kings
of Elam with the “Kudur-”
prefix specifically reigned
during this final, grand
Sukkalmah period.
At the same time, the other Mediterranean
three kingdoms mentioned Sea Abram pursues
Hobah
in Genesis 14 were also fleeing armies
present. Moreover, historians
recognize this was a period Damascus
where geopolitical alliances Abram's Attack
were common. According to Dan
Professor Kitchen, this early
Ashteroth-Karnaim (Rephaim)
second-millennium b.c.e.
period was “the one and only
period during which extensive Ham (Zuzim)
power alliances were common Battle of the
in Mesopotamia and with nine kings Sodom and
its neighbors.” Gomorrah
The Elamite subjugation of Shaveh-Kiriathaim (Emim)
Mamre (Abram's home)
Ur resulted in more than just
the establishment of Elam as Hazazon-tamar (Amorites)
Zeboiim and Admah
the regional superpower. It
also allowed the development Zoar
of the “Isin-Larsa” kingdom. Cities
This small kingdom began in En-mishpat
(Amalekites) Destruction of
the city of Isin, but later was the Four Armies
overthrown and established
in the city of Larsa—again, Key Battles
Mount Seir (Horites)
m at c h i n g w i t h t h e l at e r N Jordan Valley
Elamite Sukkalmah period. alliance
The Larsa state only existed El Paran (Horites)
Additional
for 150 years, primarily peoples/locations
during the 19th century b.c.e.
Moreover, the final ruler of
the Larsa kingdom was Rim-Sin i, Eri-Aku—or “Arioch then, would be a good fit with the original “Tidal, king
of Ellasar.” of nations.”
What about Tidal? Again, this name is an ideal match
for the Hittite name Tudhalia. But history shows that Collapse of Empires
Tudhalia i reigned around 1400 b.c.e.—nearly 500 History books and the archaeological record show that
watch jerusalem/christopher eames, reese zoellner

years after the events recorded in Genesis 14. Actually, sometime during the 19th to 18th centuries b.c.e., the
historians recognize that “Tudhaliya i” was not the first geopolitical picture in the Middle East underwent a
official with this title. There is a mysterious “proto- sudden and radical change. The Elamites were over-
Tudhalia” recognized from the most fragmentary of thrown. Larsa was conquered, and a fleeing Rim-Sin
records. In fact, so mysterious is this figure that he is was captured. And the region of Anatolia was marred
only known in name; historians still debate his official by internal strife. Historian Paul Kriwaczek writes of a
standing. He is speculated as being on the scene “shock of an unprecedented social environment,” with
between the 19th and 17th centuries b.c.e. This Tudhalia, “confrontation … [v]endettas and blood feuds.”

november-december 2020 23
 2.6 million Persian troops. (The Spartans were supported by
6,000 backup troops—but these played a more minor role.)
“Statue of Leonidas,”
king of Sparta,
There are numerous examples of severely lopsided, yet
in Sparta, Greece victorious battles. In the Battle of Lacolle Mills in 1814, 80
British soldiers held back 4,000 American troops. In the
Battle of Blood River in South Africa in 1838, 464 Boers
were attacked by 15,000 Zulus. The defense was successful,
with only three Boers wounded—compared to 3,000
dead Zulus.
In the Capture of Belgrade during World War II (1941),
only seven German soldiers captured the entire
city, which was defended by thousands of troops. In
the Battle of Longewala in 1971, 150 Indian troops
successfully defeated an advancing Pakistani force of
4,000 soldiers and 40 tanks. Only two Indians were
killed.
Was Abram’s rout, with only 319 men, impossible?
Historical precedent resoundingly says no.
Tactically, Abram and his small, nimble force had
advantages. The large size of the enemy’s armies (at least
tens of thousands of soldiers) would have constituted an
unwieldy force. Logistically, it would have been difficult to

319 VS.
navigate the unfamiliar terrain. Further, Josephus, the first-
century historian, records that King Chedorlaomer’s men

FOUR ARMIES?
were drunk and glutted on the spoils. Abram’s men were
familiar with the territory and operated under darkness.
(They may also have taken advantage of a separation of
Tidal’s troops northward to Turkey.)
Genesis 14 says that Abram’s army was comprised of only All that would be required of Abram was to cause chaos
319 men (including himself). Abram at this time was around and the targeted killing of the military leadership. Further,
80 years old. Is it really possible that he could defeat five the king of Sodom was still alive—he may have been able
powerful armies? to capitalize on the chaos and join Abram with any of his
Clearly, God gave Abram this victory. But putting aside remaining men in fighting free.
the issue of divine intervention, history shows that winning There is room for endless speculation. Whatever
such a lopsided battle is possible. Recall the famous Battle the answer, the Genesis 14 account is not only entirely
of Thermopylae (484 B.C.E.), where 300 Spartans defended reasonable, it is supported by archaeological and
the narrow pass from anywhere between 100,000 and historical evidence.  n

What happened? As is revealed by ancient relatively minor regional ruler and even referred to
inscriptions (such as the 18th-century b.c.e. Mari Letters), one of the kings of Elam as “father.” He is known for
these powerful kingdoms were sacked by an emerging his alliances with the then-powerful Elam and Larsa.
Amorite power—one that would take over the region and But sometime during the latter part of his reign, his
become what is known as the “Amorite First Dynasty.” fortunes dramatically changed. History records that
I purposely left the biblical “Amraphel, king of Hammurabi overthrew Elam and Larsa and united
Shinar” until last, because this king has been linked in Mesopotamia under a newly dominant Amorite power
name to the famous ancient ruler Hammurabi. There administered from Babylon.
are a few ways “Hammurabi” can be transliterated, What caused this dramatic power shift in favor
leekelleher / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

such as Amurapi, which later took on a “divine” form, of Hammurabi and the Amorites? Historians
Amurapi-ili—a close match to the Hebrew “Amrapil.” generally cite a tangle of alliances with Elam and
Hammurabi was a regional Amorite king of the Larsa, and a deceptive and failed power grab by
Sumerian-Shinar city of Babylon. He started out as a Elam. This alone would fit well with the biblical

24  watch jerusalem

 picture. But going further, could the rise of the So where does the evidence leave us? Details
Mesopotamian Amorites have anything to do with remain unknown. Crucially, though, there is no
Abram’s victory against Elam in Syria—a victory for evidence against the Genesis 14 “battle of nations”—
the western Amorites, within whose country Abram only a burgeoning body of evidence for it. (It goes
lived, and whose people Chedorlaomer attacked? without saying that many find Abram’s “resistance”
(Genesis 14:7, 13). Could the biblical account of the unbelievable—but note the sidebar on page 24 for more
defeat and humiliation of Elam have tipped the on this.)
dominoes toward a complete collapse of the primary To revisit the quotes from the introduction:
Mesopotamian power, eventually to be replaced “[L]ittle or no historical memory of pre-Israelite events
entirely by an Amorite power? or circumstances in Genesis”? Hardly—rather, the
It’s possible that Hammurabi’s emergence as geopolitical situation is a close fit, to the nearest century.
Mesopotamia’s dominant force was
a function of Abram’s victory over
King Chedorlaomer and his allies. Don’t be intimidated by scholarship.
There is still some dispute
about the dating of Hammurabi;
Sometimes the conclusions of the “educated”
many historians place him around critics may feel like the armies of empires
1792 to 1750 b.c.e. (about a century bearing down. But they are no match for
to o l ate to b e a c ou nte r pa r t
of biblical Abram). However, a strong faith among even the smallest of
dating the early Mesopotamian armies—like that led by the “father of the
kingdoms is notoriously difficult,
and the chronological record
faithful,” the patriarch Abraham.
remains contested among
historians, varying up to centuries (with Hammurabi That Genesis 14 is made up of “names and places,
placed anywhere from the 19th century to the 17th none of which can be verified by outside biblical
century b.c.e.). It remains entirely possible that sources”? As we’ve seen, that’s an outright falsehood—
H a m mu rab i a n d Ab ra m—wh o at th e t i m e o f and from a “Bible scholar” no less.
the battle was in his 70s or 80s (Genesis 12:4)— Don’t be intimidated by scholarship. Sometimes
were counterparts. the conclusions of the “educated” critics may feel like
What is certain is the eventual utter collapse the armies of empires bearing down. But they are no
of Elam and Larsa and the ensuing primacy of the match for a strong faith among even the smallest of
Amorites. The geopolitical scene, then, fits well with the armies—like that led by the “father of the faithful,” the
biblical account. patriarch Abraham. n

Peoples and locations Material Evidence

Rephaim in “Rephaim” is possibly the “Ripum” referenced in Syrian inscriptions from

Ashteroth-Karnaim this time period. Tell Ashtara is a candidate site for Ashteroth-Karnaim.

“Zuzim” are unknown. “Ham” may refer to Egyptian territory—

Zuzim in Ham Egypt is sometimes referred to as Ham/Khamat/Kmt in inscriptions.

Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim “Emim” are unknown. Shaveh Kiriathaim is identified with modern Kureiyat, in Jordan.

Horites in Mount Seir

watch jerusalem/christopher eames, reese zoellner

“Horites” are attested to in Egyptian and Nuzi inscriptions. The Mount Seir region
unto Elparan is well known historically, stretching from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba.

The “Spring of Justice,” identified with a large spring whose Bedouin name carries
Enmishpat/Kadesh the same meaning. The name Kadesh is found often in ancient inscriptions.

Amalek is still unknown, but ancient Negev fortifications may relate to this tribe.
All the country of the Amalekites Tel Masos has been postulated as the “City of Amalek” of 1 Samuel 15:5.

Amorites are a well-attested entity. Hazazon-tamar is the same as Ein

Amorites in Hazazon-tamar Gedi (2 Chronicles 20:2). Ein Gedi is a well-known desert oasis area.

november-december 2020 25
A German-made
K130 Corvette,
after which
the Sa’ar 6 is
modeled.

The Thriving German-

Israel Relationship
German and Israeli forces are cooperating more
than ever. Is this a good idea? By Daniel Di Santo

C
ooperation between Israel and Germany is large numbers of missiles, a challenge Israel expects in
growing, especially in technology and the the event of another war with Hezbollah. Israel plans
military. As this relationship grows, the question to use the new warships to defend its offshore gas
remains: How much should Israel trust Germany? platforms from Hezbollah’s large and growing arsenal of
On November 11, Germany delivered its first guided missiles.
Sa’ar 6 corvette warship to Israel. Another three are Germany and Israel aren’t just collaborating on
scheduled to arrive next year. Built by German giant warships. Germany’s Type 214 submarine is one of
markharkin / CC BY 2.0

ThyssenKrupp, the Sa’ar 6 is one of the world's most the world’s stealthiest, and it will get even stealthier
advanced warships. It is designed to offer enhanced with help from an Israeli company. In an October 27
attack capabilities, including the ability to shoot down press release, Israel Aerospace Industries stated

26  watch jerusalem

that its subsidiary, Elta Systems, which makes Germany and Italy participated in the second “Blue
electronic sensors for military equipment, will Flag” exercises. Approximately 250 airmen from the
team up with Hensoldt, a German company with Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany deployed to Uvda
similar capabilities. Air Force Base just north of Eilat for the exercise. But
The two companies will work together on the unlike typical joint maneuvers, German and Israeli
development of a new periscope unit—one that troops were manning each other’s equipment. “We
combines multiple communications and sensor masts started doing a squadron exchange,” said German Air
into one compact unit. This decreases the submarine’s Force Lt. Col. Manuel Last at the time. “We flew with
radar cross-section when surfaced, making it easier for the Israeli Air Force. One of our pilots flew in an Israeli
the sub to communicate and find targets while reducing F-16 and we took one of their pilots in our Eurofighter. It
the risk of being discovered. was kind of emotional; it was a great experience. And I
Germany and Israel are cooperating more than ever. really honor the professionalism of the Israeli Air Force.”
Again, is this a good idea for Israel? Building on that trust, earlier this year Israeli fighter
jets landed in Germany for the first time. Along with
Risk vs. Reward over 100 servicemen, the aircraft participated in the
While collaboration can obviously provide many first-ever exclusive German–Israeli military war games,
advantages, it also comes with risks, especially when practicing maneuvers and joint missions with the
two nations share military technology.
For Germany, working with a nation like
Israel— with its world-class research Though this effort is well intentioned, you
and development and sophisticated can prove that this period of cooperation
te c h n o l og y s e c to r — c ou l d p rovewill end in a betrayal that will shock the
extremely productive.
C o n s i d e r d ro n e t e c h n o l o g y. entire world and spark war.
Israel is arguably the world's most
advanced drone developer. It’s drone technology is Luftwaffe. The “Blue Wings 2020” war games were the
used worldwide, by private citizens, governments culmination of years of warming ties between the two
and militaries. Over the last decade, Germany in air forces. The event also held symbolic importance for
particular has benefited from Israel’s expertise in the Israeli pilots, many of whom were grandchildren of
this field. Holocaust victims.
Since March 2010, Germany has operated Israel’s
Heron 1 drone in Afghanistan. In March, Berlin A Question of Trust
extended its Heron 1 program for another year. Since the Holocaust, the issue of German-Israeli
Meanwhile, Germany’s Heron 1 program in Mali will cooperation has been sensitive and emotionally charged.
continue till July 2022. Germany has also already But in recent years the collaboration has been hailed as
received the Heron-TP, a more sophisticated version of a sign of a strong, mutually beneficial relationship.
Heron 1. Under this nine-year agreement, Israel leases German Chancellor Angela Merkel has led in
powerful drones to Germany and provides training, this effort. In her unprecedented Knesset speech in
operational support and maintenance. 2008, the chancellor spoke of German shame for the
Germany’s deal to lease the Heron 1 has given it Holocaust. She affirmed that “we want to strengthen
access to vital knowledge and experience that it can these ties and the trust between our peoples even
use as it develops, together with France, Europe’s further. We want to consolidate our partnership even
Eurodrone program. In this way, Israel is helping further. ... Germany’s special historical responsibility
Europe develop its own military drones. for Israel’s security ... is part of my country’s raison
Germany’s cooperation with Israel extends beyond d’être. For me as German chancellor, therefore, Israel’s
sharing knowledge and expertise. Today it even security will never be open to negotiation.”
includes on-the-ground military training and exercises. Merkel has backed up her words with arms deals
For example, every two years, German and Israeli air and increasing military integration. In 2015, when
forces train together in the “Blue Flag” exercises. These Israel ordered the Sa’ar 6 warships, Merkel stated that
began in 2017, when German fighter jets landed in Israel “Germany has a special obligation to support Israel.” On
for the first time. November 11, Germany's Die Welt newspaper framed
The military partnership strengthened in 2019, the completion of the sale of the Sa’ar warships in
when 70 aircraft from Israel, the United States, Greece, the context of Merkel’s 2008 Knesset speech, saying,

november-december 2020 27
“Now Germany’s responsibility for the Jewish state is thee with buckler and shield and helmet round about ...”
becoming visible.” (verses 22-24).
Merkel concluded her speech, “Germany will never This is describing what Mr. Flurry says is “one of the
forsake Israel but will remain a true friend and partner.” biggest double crosses in the history of man!” Ezekiel 23
Twelve years have passed since Merkel uttered these shows that Germany will actually turn and attack Israel!
words, and the German-Israeli relationship appears to A prophecy in Hosea 5 adds details. “And when
be thriving. But the question remains: Can Israel be Ephraim saw his sickness, And Judah his wound,
certain that Germany will remain a true friend? Angela Ephraim went to Assyria, And sent to King Contentious;
Merkel’s overtures toward supporting Israel seem But he is not able to heal you, Neither shall he cure you
sincere, but what about the German people? of your wound” (Hosea 5:13). The time will come when
Germany today is expanding its military presence and Israel will reach out to Assyria, seeking assistance. But
capability, not renouncing it. In recent years, many world Germany will not reciprocate.
leaders and policy analysts have encouraged Germany to These are sobering prophecies, and they can be hard
rearm. Few are concerned about German militarism. And to accept. But they are wonderful warnings from God, if
while anti-Semitism remains a problem in Germany, most we would only listen. Israel and Germany are trying to
people are unconcerned. (For more information, read move past their history in the name of reconciliation.
“The One Minority Society Loves to Hate,” theTrumpet. Though the effort is well intentioned, you can prove that
com/21037.) The prospect of conflict between these this cooperation will end in a betrayal that will shock
modern, democratic nations seems like a fantasy. the world and spark war. Our free booklet Jerusalem
However, the Bible says a close relationship with in Prophecy will show you what to watch for as this
Germany is a direct precursor to war. For more than cooperation deepens. n
30 years, Watch Jerusalem editor in chief Gerald Flurry
has warned that Israel should beware getting too
comfortable with Germany. In his booklet Jerusalem in u DISCOVERY  FROM PAGE 5
Prophecy, Mr. Flurry writes, “The friendship between Jeremiah 1 describes this power as a “seething pot
Germany and Israel will lead to one of the biggest from the north”—modern-day Europe (verse 13). “Out
double crosses in the history of man!” of the north the evil shall break forth upon all the
This forecast is rooted in Bible prophecy. Biblical inhabitants of the land. For, lo, I will call all the families
prophecies refer to the modern Jewish state by its of the kingdoms of the north, saith the Lord; and they
ancient name, Judah. Meanwhile, the modern nation shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at
of Germany is called by its biblical name, Assyria. (For the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem ...” (verses 14-15).
an explanation, read “The Remarkable Identity of the This power will be bent on utter destruction of the city,
German People,” theTrumpet.com/7490.) and will “destroy wonderfully” anything considered
An end-time prophecy in Ezekiel 23 shows that sacred to the people of God (Daniel 8:24). We see similar
Judah will look to Assyria as an ally instead of God. prophecies in Isaiah 10:5-6 and Hosea 5.
When this prophecy was written, the kingdom of Israel The desecration of the bones of the kings will
had already gone into captivity. In 586 b.c.e., Judah was be upsetting—yet ultimately, it won’t make any
taken captive by the Babylonians, not Assyria. This difference. These kings will live again! They will be
means Ezekiel 23 is clearly a prophecy for the end time. resurrected, and they will rule alongside the Messiah
In verse 11, Judah is personified as a woman named on the throne of David (Jeremiah 39; 1 Kings 1:31;
Oholibah who plays the harlot with the Assyrians. Ezekiel 37:35).
Instead of relying on God for protection, Oholibah turns
to the warriors of Assyria. The Good News
Verse 12 states, “She doted upon the Assyrians, The Bible describes multiple signs of the Messiah’s
governors and rulers, warriors, clothed most coming. The discovery of the tombs of the kings
gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them will be one of those signs, and then the desecration
handsome young men.” But this relationship ends in of the bones of the kings and prophets will be yet
ruin. “Therefore, O Oholibah, thus saith the Lord God: another. God wants us to recognize just how close that
Behold, I will raise up thy lovers against thee, from earthshaking event is. Signs of the Messiah’s coming
whom thy soul is alienated, and I will bring them against are everywhere! If you really want to find God, you
thee on every side …. And they shall come against thee can! Just follow the signs.
with hosts, chariots, and wheels, and with an assembly Look at world conditions; at covid-19 and the way
of peoples; they shall set themselves in array against it has destabilized the world; at the political turmoil

28  watch jerusalem

and deep social divisions in America; at the mounting feedback For our free products visit
tensions in Europe between Europeans and Muslims; at Eilat Mazar is developing watchJerusalem.co.il
the aggressive behavior of Russia, China and Iran. Each a reputation for being a
of these is a major sign that the world is undergoing legendary archaeologist. staff

massive change! Even though it was the editor in chief

Gerald FlurrY
When you look at this the way God does, all of these wicked Kathleen Kenyon
executive editor
negative signs carry a positive message. The purpose of who found this original Stephen FlurrY
all these signs is to get us thinking about the Messiah’s Phoenecian capital from managing editor
Brad Macdonald
arrival and to inspire us to make the necessary changes Tyre in the City of David,
senior editor
in our lives to prepare for this event! she did not know what it joel hilliker
Dr. Mazar, whom we have had the pleasure of was because Kenyon spent assistant managing editor

assisting on archaeological excavations since 2006, her career working with Brent Nagtegaal
contributing editor
regularly stresses the need for vision when conducting the Jordanian government Christopher Eames
an archaeological dig. She has told us: “You need to trying at every turn to contributing writers

have vision to do a dig in Jerusalem. You need to see discredit the Hebrew Bible. Callum Wood
Daniel di santo
the big picture of how things fit in the biblical picture” But Eilat Mazar figured it proofreaders
(emphasis mine). out. With a Bible in one hand aubrey mercado
That is wonderful advice: It is good to be excited and a spade in the other, Teri Bailey
dottie kimes
about all these archaeological discoveries proving she knew from the Book
designers
King David’s legacy—but we must see the vision of Shmuel that the King of Edwin Trebels
behind these artifacts! These discoveries should Tyre had built King David's Steve Hercus
Reese Zoellner
get us thinking about the coming Messiah, who is a palace and that his palace
artist
descendant of King David and will rule from the throne was outside the Dung Gate Gary Dorning
of David! of the Old City. She knew that Julia Goddard
In Psalm 102:15, the psalmist writes this about that capital had adorned his press and circulation
Edwin Trebels
Jerusalem: “For Thy servants take pleasure in her palace and had rolled down
stones, And love her dust.” Look at the context of this the hill from the steep slope WATCH JERUSALEM
November-December 2020, Vol. 2,
verse. What is the time frame? Verse 14 says, “Thou of Mt. Moriah where Kenyon No. 6 is published bimonthly by the
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the name of the Lord, And all the kings of the earth Thy where King David built the to the Armstrong International
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appeared in His glory.” First He builds up Zion—then Judea from himself until this worldwide work are gladly
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He comes in glory. So that really dates this psalm as a the Babylonian destruction © 2020 Armstrong International
Cultural Foundation. Unless
prophecy for right now! It is for today! under Tzidkiyahu between otherwise noted, scriptures are
It is in this context that verse 15 says God’s servants 450 to 500 years later. Along quoted from the Jewish Publication
Society of America of the Tanakh
take pleasure in Jerusalem’s stones and “love her dust.” with finding the bullae stamp version of the Bible.

This is shortly before the Messiah’s arrival. Over the impressions for Hezekiah
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past three decades, archaeologists have been slowly and the Prophet Isaiah in Please notify us of any change in your
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resurrecting the ruins of King David and his legacy. the same level of dirt within label and the new address. The
Jeremiah 7 and 8 indicate that the next great two meters of each other on publishers assume no responsibility
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discovery could be the “sepulchres of David.” the Ophel, Eilat Mazar has photographs or manuscripts. The
editor reserves the right to use any
But we must keep the big picture in mind: The turned biblical archaeology letters, in whole or in part, as he
resurrection of David’s legacy will culminate in the into one of the enduring deems in the public interest, and to
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