gath Summary and Overview

a wine-vat, one of the five royal cities of the Philistines (Josh. 13:3) on which the ark brought calamity (1 Sam. 5:8, 9; 6:17). It was famous also as being the birthplace or residence of Goliath (1 Sam. 17:4). David fled from Saul to Achish, king of Gath (1 Sam. 21:10; 27:2-4; Ps. 56), and his connection with it will account for the words in 2 Sam. 1:20. It was afterwards conquered by David (2 Sam. 8:1). It occupied a strong position on the borders of Judah and Philistia (1 Sam. 21:10; 1 Chr. 18:1). Its site has been identified with the hill called Tell esSafieh, the Alba Specula of the Middle Ages, which rises 695 feet above the plain on its east edge. It is noticed on monuments about B.C. 1500. (See METHEGAMMAH T0002516.)

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

GATH (wine-press), one of the five cities of the Philistines, Josh 13:3; 1 Sam 6:17; Am 6:2; Mic 1:10; a stronghold of the Anakim, Josh 11:22; home of Goliath, 1 Sam 17:4; place whither the ark was carried, 1 Sam 5:8; where David sought refuge, 1 Sam 21:10-15; was strengthened by Rehoboam, 2 Chr 11:8; taken by Hazael of Syria, 2 Kgs 12:17; probably recovered by Jehoash, 2 Kgs 13:25; broken down by Uzziah, 2 Chr 26:6; was probably destroyed before the time of the later prophecies, as it is omitted from the list of royal cities. See Zeph 2:4; Zech 9:5-6. Thomson would identify it with Eleutheropolis, but Porter, Warren, and Conder place Gath at Tel es-Saji, 15 miles south of Ramleh and 12 miles south-east of Ashdod.

("a winepress"), Gath being in a vine-abounding country. One of the five great Philistine cities (Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:17). Goliath's abode (1 Samuel 17). Its people were the "Gittites," of whom was David's devotedly loyal friend Ittai (2 Samuel 15:19-22). In undesigned coincidence with the presence of giants in Gath, according to 1 Samuel 17; 2 Samuel 21:19-22, is Joshua 11:22; "only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod there remained Anakims." Gath was one of the five cities to which the Philistines carried about the ark of God (the five formed one political unity), and thereby brought on the people God's heavy visitation with emerods. It was' represented by one of the five golden emerods and five golden inlet sent to propitiate Jehovah (1 Samuel 5:9; 1 Samuel 6:4-5; 1 Samuel 6:10-18). David there reigned madness to save his life; a second time he visited king Achish, and had Ziklag assigned to him as a residence (1 Samuel 21:10-15; 1 Samuel 27:28). Thence he attached and drew after him 600 Gittite followers, with Ittai their chief (2 Samuel 15:18); probably some at the time of his sojourn in Gath, and most when he smote and subdued the Philistines (2 Samuel 8:1). Though tributary to Israel, Gath still retained its own king (1 Kings 2:89). Hazael fought against it and took it (2 Kings 12:17). Uzziah gave a heavy blow to Gath, breaking down its wall (2 Chronicles 26:6; Amos 6:2). "Hamath ... Gath, be they better than these kingdoms?" Gath, once "better (stronger) than" Israel and Judah, fell; how vain then is your confidence in the strength of mounts Zion and Samaria! In Amos 1:6, etc., Zephaniah 2:4-5; Zechariah 9:5-6, Gath is omitted; probably it had lost by that time its place among the five primary cities. Hezekiah, after Uzziah, conquered Philistia (2 Kings 18:8; Isaiah 14:29-81). Tell es Safieh occupies the site of Gath, which lay on the border between Judah and Philistia, between Shocoh and Ekron (1 Samuel 17:1; 1 Samuel 17:52). Saul came down from the hills by the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, which passes near Shocoh, and encountered the Philistines near the bend in the valley. Saul was on the E. of the valley, the Philistines on the W., as they came from the W. Gath was from its strength often alternately in the hands of Judah and of Philistia (2 Chronicles 11:8). It lay on a hill at the foot of Judah's mountains, ten miles E. of Ashdod, and ten S.E. of Ekron