have been already noticed. The Tomb of David (traditional) is on Mount
Zion, near the Gate of Zion; and just a little to the left of it, where
several small domes are seen, is the Coenaculum, or traditional place
where the Last Supper was held. Mount Zion is now, fulfilling prophecy,
"a plowed field," and has but few buildings. On nearly all sides of the
city, outside the wall, are Moslem graves. Northwest of the city, toward
the Russian Colony, is the place where the Assyrian messengers encamped
in the time of Hezekiah. (2 Kings 18.)
[Illustration: MODERN JERUSALEM.]
[Illustration: ENVIRONS OF JERUSALEM.]
THE ENVIRONS OF JERUSALEM.
THE city of Jerusalem occupies a prominent place, not only in the
history but also in the topography of the Holy Land. It is one of the
most elevated sites in a land whose important places were among the
mountains. There are many peaks higher than Mount Zion, on which the
city stands; but few cities in Palestine are built upon a site so lofty.
This fact explains many of the allusions in the Psalms. "Beautiful for
situation," "I will look unto the hills," etc.
There are six roads leading to Jerusalem from different parts of the
land. Starting from the city by each one of these roads, let us notice
the important places upon either side of it.
[Illustration: DEFILE BETWEEN JERUSALEM AND JERICHO.]
I. =The Northern Road.= This starts from the Damascus Gate and leads
almost due north through the centre of the mountain region, toward
Shechem and Damascus, passing more of the historic localities than any
other. Explorers, however, are not agreed upon the identification of all
the places; and our space permits us only to give conclusions without
naming reasons or authorities for the opinion in all cases.
1. About a mile north of Jerusalem, on the west of the path, we find
_Scopus_, the eminence from which Titus, the Roman conqueror, obtained
his first view of the doomed city. According to some authorities this
was also the location of _Mizpeh_, the place of assembly for Israel
during the time of the Judges. But later investigators place Mizpeh at
_Neby Samwil_, on the northwestern road, and we have accepted their
conclusions. (See next page.) Both the location of Mizpeh and that of
Ramah are uncertain. One word means "watch-tower," the other "height,"
so they may be identical, though the references seem to point to
different localities.
2. A mile further, and on the west of the path, is _Nob_ (_el
Isawiyeh_), named as a city of the priests. At this place the Tabernacle
was kept during the reign of Saul; David visited the high-priest and
received the sword of Goliath; and the priest and 70 of his associates
were slain by command of Saul. (1 Sam. 21:1-9; 22:9-19.)
3. _Gibeah_ (_Tuleil el Ful_), "hill of beans," lies on the east of the
road, 2-1/2 miles from the city. The place is first mentioned in the
painful story of the Levite (Judges 19); but its principal interest is
in the fact that it was the home and court of King Saul. "It is now
dreary and desolate, with scarce any ruins save a confused mass of
stones, which form a sort of cairn on the top."--_Tristram._
4. _Anathoth_ (_Anata_), the birthplace of the prophet Jeremiah, and a
priestly city, is 3 miles northeast of Jerusalem, upon a path branching
out of the main road. It is now a village of about 20 houses.
5. Some locate _Ramah_, the home of Samuel, at _Er Ram_, on the east of
the road; but others favor the place at _Neby Samwil_, to be noticed
below.
6. _Michmash_, the scene of Jonathan's daring exploit, lies on a hill
adjoining a ravine, 7 miles northeast of the city; and a mile away, in
plain sight, lies _Geba_, the camping place of Saul's army at the time
of the battle. (1 Sam. 13.) It is now called _Mukmas_.
7. _Ai_--the place where Joshua's army was repulsed by the Canaanites,
on account of the crime of Achan (Josh. 7), and which, after his
punishment, was taken and destroyed by the Israelites--is 9 miles from
the city; a desolate heap, known as _el Tell_.
8. _Beeroth_ (wells), now _el Bireh_, 10 miles north, was one of the
Gibeonite cities which made peace with Israel. (Josh. 9:17.) According
to tradition, this is the place where Joseph and Mary, returning from
Jerusalem, first missed the boy Jesus (Luke 2:44); and it is now the
halting place of caravans going north.
9. _Bethel_, "the house of God" (now _Beitin_), 10 miles north, is a
place of many Scriptural associations. Here Abraham pitched his tent and
built his altar, on his entrance upon the Land of Promise (Gen 12:8);
here Jacob lay down to rest and saw the glorious vision of the heavenly
ladder (Gen. 28:11-22), and on his return from Syria again consecrated
the place to God's service. (Gen. 35:6-15.) During the period of the Ten
Tribes it was a sanctuary of idols, but also the seat of a prophetic
school. (1 Kings 12:29-33; 2 Kings 2:2, 3.) It is now an uninhabited
ruin.
10. East of Bethel, and 11 miles north of Jerusalem, is the rock
_Rimmon_ (now _Rummon_), where the remnant of the tribe of Benjamin
found a refuge after the civil war. (Judges 20, 21.)
11. Two miles north of Rimmon is the site of _Ophrah_, in the New
Testament _Ephraim_, the retreat of Jesus after the raising of Lazarus.
(John 11:54.) It is in a wilderness, on the edge of the Jordan Valley,
and outside the line of travel; now called _et Taiyibeh_.
[Illustration: SOLOMON'S POOLS.]
II. =The Eastern Road= from Jerusalem leads through a barren region of
crags and ravines, almost without inhabitants, except the robbers who
have haunted it since the days when "a certain man went down from
Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves." (Luke 10:30.) The road is
a continual descent from a height of 2,700 feet above the sea to 1,300
feet below it, in 20 miles.
The only place passed on the route is _Bethany_ (now _el Azariyeh_), the
home of Mary and Martha, the place where Lazarus was raised from death,
and near which Jesus ascended. (Luke 24:50.) It is on the eastern slope
of the Mount of Olives, and about a mile and a quarter from Jerusalem.
Beyond this place the road grows more steep, descending toward the
Jordan Valley.
III. =The Southern Road=, leading along the crest of the hill country
toward Hebron, also passes few places of historical interest.
1. Just south of the city is the _Plain of the Rephaim_, where, after
the capture of Jerusalem, David twice met and vanquished the
Philistines. (2 Sam. 5:18-25.) The name may be a reminiscence of the
most ancient people who inhabited the mountain region of Palestine,
before the Amorites were in the land.
2. Four miles from the city the traveler passes _Rachel's Tomb_. This
may represent the place where Jacob, while journeying southward, lost
his beloved wife Rachel, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. (Gen.
35:16-20.) The monument now standing is of comparatively recent date;
but it may occupy the site of one more ancient.
3. Six miles southeast of the city we come to _Bethlehem_, a small town,
yet having the deepest interest as the birthplace of David, and of
David's greatest descendant, the Saviour of the world. It lies upon the
side and summit of a steep hill, and contains now about 2,000
inhabitants. Many places connected with the birth of Jesus are shown;
but there is no authority for their precise location except tradition.
In a cave near this village Jerome wrote most of his translation of the
Bible, the Vulgate version, recognized as the standard Bible by the
Roman Catholic Church.
4. A little beyond Bethlehem is the head of the _Valley of Elah_, in
which, but at a distance to the west, David fought with Goliath, and
gained his earliest honors before Israel. (1 Sam. 17.)
5. There are no more places of interest to the Bible reader until we
reach _Hebron_, 18 miles from Jerusalem. This is one of the most ancient
towns in the world, occupied before the time of Abraham; the burial
place of the Patriarchs, the capital of David's kingdom of Judah, and
the place where Absalom's rebellion was begun. It is still a large town,
inhabited by intolerant Mohammedans, who closely guard the sanctity of
the Mosque which covers the graves of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is
now called _el Khalil_, "the Friend," _i. e._, Abraham, "the friend of
God."
6. The region between Hebron and the Dead Sea is wild and desolate, with
but few inhabitants. It was called _Jeshimon_, "the waste," and is the
place generally recognized as "the wilderness of Judæa," where David
wandered during his exile when he was persecuted by Saul, and in
constant danger of his life, and where Christ was tempted after his long
fast of forty days.
IV. =The Southwestern Road= is that "that goeth down from Jerusalem unto
Gaza, which is desert." (Acts 8:26.) It passes through ravines and among
mountains, descending through successive plateaus, from the mountain
region to the Shefelah, or low hills, and thence to the plain by the
Mediterranean. It is "desert," in the sense that no towns lie along the
route. The fountain where Philip baptized the Ethiopian treasurer is
shown at _Ain Haniyeh_, 4 miles southwest of Jerusalem; but it has only
tradition in support of its claim.
V. =The Western Road= leads to Joppa, descending from the mountains to
the sea.
1. Four miles from Jerusalem it passes _Emmaus_ (_Kuloniyeh_), the place
to which the two disciples were walking when they were joined by the
risen Christ. (Luke 24:13.) The place, however, is disputed. Dr. Thomson
locates it at _Kuriet el Enab_, further from Jerusalem; and others at
_el Kubeibeh_, 7 miles northwest of the city.
2. _Kirjath-jearim_, or _Baalah_, is 7 miles from Jerusalem, at _Kuriet
el Enab_, named above. Here the Ark of the Covenant was brought from
Beth-shemesh, after its return from the Philistines, and remained until
it was removed by David to Jerusalem. (1 Sam. 6:21; 2 Sam. 6:2.) It is
now a small village, with ruins and a church.
VI. =The Northwestern Road= branches from the Northern Road just beyond
Gibeah, and winds down the mountains to the sea-shore at Joppa. Among
its places of interest are the following:
1. _Mizpeh_, "watch-tower," is probably the hill known as _Neby Samwil_,
4 miles northwest of Jerusalem. Here Samuel gathered the people for
reformation, and won his great victory over the Philistines. This may
also have been _Ramah_, the birthplace and burial-place of Samuel.
2. _Gibeon_ is at _el Jib_, a hill 6 miles from Jerusalem. This was the
head of the Hivite league of cities which made peace with Israel and
were spared by Joshua at the time of the conquest (Josh. 9:17); which
led to the battle of Beth-horon, the decisive event of the war. Here a
skirmish took place between the soldiers of David and of Abner (while
David was reigning over Judah), and Asahel, the brother of Joab, was
killed. (2 Sam. 2:12-24.) At this place the Tabernacle was standing
during David's reign, while the ark was at Zion; here was "the great
high place" where Solomon offered sacrifice at the opening of his reign;
and here Solomon had a vision, and made his choice of wisdom. (1 Kings
3:4-14.)
3. Five miles beyond Gibeon is _Beth-horon_, celebrated as the place
where was fought the great battle of the conquest, which, measured by
its results, was the most important battle in the history of the world,
since upon it was staked the world's religion. If ever the sun might
stand still, it was then, when earth's destiny was in the balance.
(Josh. 10:9-14.) The "upper Beth-horon" is at _Beit ur el Foka_, and the
lower at _Beit ur et Tahta_, two miles beyond it.
In this brief view we have compassed the most important places upon the
map within 15 miles around the city of Jerusalem.
OUTLINE FOR TEACHING AND REVIEW.
SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHING.
1. Locate upon the blackboard Jerusalem as a centre, and in presence of
the class draw the general direction of the roads leading from it. It is
scarcely necessary to draw the valleys and mountains, as they are but
rarely referred to by name. The teacher may mark the line of the road in
French chalk or common slate-pencil upon the blackboard, in advance of
the lesson, making a faint line, which can be followed with the crayon
afterward.
2. Then take each road in order, going out from Jerusalem, and indicate
the places near it, stating the events of Bible History in connection
with each place.
3. It would be a good plan to write on slips of paper the references to
texts, distribute them among the class, and have each text read by a
student as its event is named.
REVIEW.
I. _Northern Road._ 1. Scopus. (Titus.) 2. Nob. (Slaughter of priests.)
3. Gibeah. (Saul's court.) 4. Anathoth. (Jeremiah.) 5. Ramah.(?)
(Samuel.) 6. Michmash. (Jonathan's exploit.) 7. Ai. (Achan.) 8. Beeroth.
(Gibeonites; Jesus lost in Temple.) 9. Bethel. (Jacob's ladder.) 10.
Rimmon. (Benjamin.) 11. Ephraim. (Christ's retirement.)
II. _Eastern Road._ 1. Bethany. (Lazarus.) 2. Steep descent. 3. Jericho.
III. _Southern Road._ 1. Plain of Rephaim. (David's victory.) 2.
Rachel's Tomb. 3. Bethlehem. (David, Jesus.) 4. Valley of Elah. (David
and Goliath.) 5. Hebron. (Abraham's sepulchre.) 6. Jeshimon
(Wilderness).
IV. _Southwestern Road._ "Jerusalem to Gaza." (Philip.)
V. _Western Road._ 1. Emmaus. (Risen Christ.) 2. Kirjath-jearim.
(Removal of ark.)
VI. _Northwestern Road._ 1. Mizpeh. (Samuel.) 2. Gibeon. (Solomon's
choice.) 3. Beth-horon. (Joshua's victory.)
[Illustration: GETHSEMANE.]
[Illustration: THE DIVISION OF SOLOMON'S EMPIRE.]
THE DIVISION OF SOLOMON'S EMPIRE.
ON the death of Solomon, B.C. 935, the empire which had been won by the
sword and consolidated by the statesmanship of David, fell asunder, and
five kingdoms took the place of one. These were:
1. The portion of Solomon's empire north of Mount Hermon and extending
to the Euphrates revolted, and formed the =Kingdom of Syria=, having
Damascus for its capital. This kingdom, at first small, soon rose to
power, and at its height, under Hazael, was the leading nation in Asia,
west of the Euphrates. It fell, about B.C. 750, under the power of
Assyria.
[Illustration: CHRONOLOGICAL CHART OF KINGS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH.]
2. South of Syria was the =Kingdom of Israel=, or the Ten Tribes,
founded by Jeroboam, B.C. 935, soon after the death of Solomon. This
included by far the larger portion of Palestine Proper, having 9,400
square miles, while the rival kingdom of Judah had but 3,400. It
received the allegiance of all the tribes on the east of the Jordan. The
boundary line between the two kingdoms ran south of Jericho, Bethel and
Joppa. This line was, however, very variable, being moved northward or
southward, according to the relative power of the kingdoms. Over this
kingdom reigned nineteen kings, representing several dynasties, with
intervals of anarchy and frequent change. Its capital was at first
Shechem, then Tirzah, until Omri, the founder of the third dynasty,
chose a permanent location at SAMARIA, which soon became to Israel all
that Jerusalem was to Judah, and in time gave its name to the entire
province. Its two religious sanctuaries were at Dan on the north, and at
Bethel on the south, where the national worship to Jehovah, was
maintained under the form of a calf or young ox.
3. =The Kingdom of Judah= included the tribe of that name, a portion of
Benjamin, and perhaps of Simeon also, though the southern boundary was
always uncertain. The Shefelah, or low hills, and the sea-coast, were
probably controlled by the Philistines, though nominally belonging to
Judah. This kingdom remained loyal to the house of David during all its
history, and was ruled by twenty-one kings, all of one family. It was
destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, B.C. 587.
4. =Moab= lay east of the Dead Sea, between the brooks Arnon and Zered.
It was nominally subject to Israel (the northern kingdom); but, from the
indications of the history and of the Moabite Stone (a monument of
Mesha, the king of Moab, erected in the time of Elisha the prophet), it
may be inferred that it had its own government, and only occasionally
paid tribute to the Ten Tribes. Strong kings, like Omri, Ahab and
Jeroboam II., may have held power over it; but during most of the time
it was practically independent.
5. =Edom=, south of the Dead Sea, had been conquered by David, and
remained subject during the reign of Solomon. After the disruption it
held to Judah about the same relation that Moab held to Israel,
dependent and tributary, but not annexed as a part of the realm. There
was a king of Edom during the reign of Jehoshaphat (2 Kings 3:9), but
evidently subject to Judah. The Edomites finally gained their
independence during the reign of Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat (2
Kings 8:16-22), despite a defeat which they suffered at Zair (probably
Seir, or Sela). Like all the kingdoms around it, this kingdom fell under
the rule of Nebuchadnezzar.
These five provinces or kingdoms are represented upon the map according
to their general boundaries during most of the time from the age of
Solomon to that of Nebuchadnezzar, when all the East was united under
one mighty sceptre. Historically, the epoch requires the consideration
of several periods, as follows:
1. =The Period of Division= (B.C. 935-842), during which three
kingdoms--Syria, Israel and Judah--strove for supremacy. This extends
from the reign of Jeroboam to that of Jehu in the north; and from
Rehoboam to Joash in Judah. During the first half-century of this
period, wars were constant between Israel and Judah. During the latter
half-century the growing power of Syria compelled an alliance between
the rival kingdoms, and nearly all the battles were between Israel and
Syria. The leading events of this period were: (1.) The accession of
Rehoboam, followed by the disruption of the kingdom, and the breaking up
of Solomon's empire. (2.) The invasion of Judah by Shishak, king of
Egypt, and the loss of all the treasures of David and Solomon (2 Chron.
12), which permanently crippled the kingdom. (3.) The wars of Jeroboam
with Judah, culminating in the battle of Zemaraim, near Bethel, a signal
defeat for Israel. (2 Chron. 13.) (4.) The invasion of Judah by the
Ethiopians under Zerah, and the victory of Asa at Mareshah. (2 Chron.
14.) (5.) The introduction of the worship of Baal into Israel, by Ahab,
and with it the appearance of the prophet Elijah. (1 Kings 16-19.) (6.)
The wars with Syria, with the victory of Israel at Aphek, and the defeat
at Ramoth-gilead. (1 Kings 20-22.) (7.) The invasion of Judah, in the
reign of Jehoshaphat, by the allied forces of Ammon, Moab and Edom, and
their slaughter at Berachah. (2 Chron. 20.) (8.) The allied war of
Israel and Judah with Moab, and the battle of Kir-haraseth, commemorated
by the Moabite Stone, recently discovered. (2 Kings 3.) (9.) The revolt
of Edom from Judah, in the reign of Jehoram. Jehoram gained a victory at
Zair (probably Sela, or Petra), but could not retain supremacy over the
Edomites.
[Illustration: MOABITE STONE.]
[Illustration: THE SYRIAN PERIOD, B.C. 884-840.]
2. =The Syrian Period=, B.C. 842-799, began with revolutions in the same
year in Damascus, Samaria, and Jerusalem; by which Hazael mounted the
throne of Syria, Jehu of Israel, and Athaliah, the queen-mother, usurped
the throne of Judah. Hazael established a powerful kingdom. (2 Kings
8:7-15.) He conquered all of Israel east of the Jordan (2 Kings 10:32,
33), reduced Israel under Jehoahaz to a condition of vassalage (2 Kings
13:1-8), took Gath from Judah, and was only withheld from besieging
Jerusalem by the payment of a heavy tribute. (2 Kings 12:17, 18; 2
Chron. 24:23, 24.) We insert an outline map of his kingdom and
conquests.
The principal events of this period were as follows: (1.) The accession
of Hazael in Syria, Jehu in Israel, and Athaliah in Judah, B.C. 842.
(2.) The destruction of Baal worship in Israel. (2 Kings 10.) (3.) The
conquests of Hazael on the east of Jordan. (2 Kings 10:32, 33.) (4.) The
slaughter of Athaliah, and accession of Jehoash in Judah. (2 Kings 11.)
(5.) The repairs of the Temple by Jehoiada. (2 Kings 12.) (6.) The
prophecies of Jonah and Joel. (7.) The subjection of Israel under
Hazael. (8.) Hazael's campaign against Judah, and capture of Gath. (9.)
The death of Hazael.
3. =The Restoration of Israel=, B.C. 779-742. The Syrian conqueror,
Hazael, left as his successor a weak prince, Ben-hadad III., who was
unable to hold his dominions against the ability of the third king of
the house of Jehu in Israel, Jehoash, or Joash, and his greater son,
Jeroboam II. Under these two able rulers the kingdom of the Ten Tribes
arose to its culmination, the territory lost was regained, nearly all
Syria was conquered, Judah was made tributary, and Samaria gave laws to
a large part of Solomon's empire. This period was marked as the era of
two great prophets, Jonah and Joel; and, from its brilliant but brief
prosperity, has been called "the Indian Summer of Israel." At the
opening of this epoch, Amaziah reigned in Judah. He won a victory in
Edom, but, venturing to attack Israel, was routed at Beth-shemesh; and,
for the only time in Judah's history, the army of the Ten Tribes entered
Jerusalem as victors. (2 Kings 14.) Uzziah, his successor, was more
successful, and held his kingdom in security both against Israel and the
enemies on the south. The outline map represents the kingdoms during the
reign of Jeroboam II., about B.C. 800.
4. =The Fall of Israel=, B.C. 742-721. The decline of Israel after the
reign of Jeroboam II. was rapid. A succession of usurpers seized the
throne, the foreign conquests melted away, and anarchy prevailed. The
cause of these sudden changes was the growth of the Assyrian power under
a succession of warlike kings, who made Nineveh the capital of the
Eastern world. Syria fell before their arms, and Israel soon followed.
In the reign of Menahem, Israel became tributary to Assyria; and in that
of Pekah, B.C. 735, the portion of Israel on the north, including the
tribe of Naphtali, was carried into captivity by Tiglath-pileser. (2
Kings 15:29.) In the reign of Hoshea, Samaria itself was taken (B.C.
721) by Sargon (having been besieged by Shalmaneser); and the Ten Tribes
were finally carried into captivity to Halah and Habor. (2 Kings 17.)
This period belongs to the map of the Assyrian Empire.
5. =The Fall of Judah=, B.C. 721-587. The kingdom of Judah lasted more
than a hundred years after that of Israel, though most of the time as a
subject-nation to the "great king" of Assyria, to whom Ahaz and most of
the kings of Judah after him paid tribute. The most important events of
this period were: (1.) The reforms of King Hezekiah, and the deliverance
of Jerusalem from the Assyrians under Sennacherib. (2 Chron. 30-32.)
(2.) The captivity of King Manasseh among the Assyrians, and his return.
(2 Chron. 33.) (3.) The attempt at reformation by King Josiah, and his
death at the battle of Megiddo. (2 Chron. 34, 35.) (4.) The rise of the
power of Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar's first invasion of Judah, in the
reign of Jehoiakim, B.C. 606. From this date Judah was subject to
Babylon, and the "seventy years' captivity" began. (5.) The rebellion of
Zedekiah, the last king, against Nebuchadnezzar, the siege of Jerusalem,
the destruction of the kingdom, and the final carrying of Judah into
captivity to Babylon, B.C. 587.
[Illustration: THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL, B.C. 800.]
We notice the most important wars, sieges and battles of this period,
indicated upon the map of the Division of Solomon's Empire, by flags.
1. The battle of =Zemaraim=, near Bethel, fought between Jeroboam and
Abijah, the second king of Judah, B.C. 917, and resulting in the defeat
of Israel, and the ruin of Jeroboam's plans of ambition. (2 Chron. 13.)
2. The battle of =Mareshah=, in Judah, on the border of the mountain
region, in which King Asa defeated Zerah, the Ethiopian king of Egypt,
and an immense host, B.C. 900. (2 Chron. 14.)
3. The siege of =Samaria=, by Ben-hadad, king of Syria, in the reign of
Ahab, who was able to repel the invaders. (1 Kings 20.) We notice, that
from this time, for a century, the principal wars of Israel are with
Syria.