Prayer-Soldier writes "
On 5 Aug 10, Christian Today reported that Archaeologists recently discovered a Philistine temple. The site is believed to be the town where the giant, Philistine warrior, Goliath lived. Goliath is the warrior struck down by David according to the versus of 1 Samuel 17.
According to the article, “the temple ruins are located in the ancient city of Gath and date back to the 10th century BC.” The article related that the temple was believed to be similar in design to the temple destroyed by Samson as recounted in Judges 16.
Continuing to step through Biblical history, the article related that, “The team also found evidence of a major earthquake from the 8th century BC that could be the quakes mentioned in the books of Isaiah and Amos.” The article quoted Aren Maeir, an archaeology professor at Bar Illan University, who said, “this gives us a good idea of what image whoever wrote the story [of Samson] would have had of a Philistine temple.”
According to a 29 Jul 10 article in The Jerusalem Post, the dig site is located in Israel, at the Tel Tzafit National Park near Kiryat Gat.
According to a 21 Nov 08, National Geographic report, the remains of an ancient gate were used to pinpoint the location of the biblical city Sha'arayim. The report related that Sha'arayim is near the Elah Valley where 1 Samuel 17 positions the battle between David and Goliath. The National Geographic report stated, “The discovery is the second recent find to be made at the Elah Fortress—known as Khirbet Qeiyafa in Arabic—which is located near the present-day Israeli city of Bet Shemesh.”
The report quoted Hebrew University archaeologist Yosef Garfinkel as saying, “Everything comes together—the geography, the Bible, and the radiometric dating. It's no coincidence.”
Cited Articles and Posts
Christian Today (5 Aug 10)
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/archaeologists.uncover.philistine.temple.in.goliaths.hometown/26436.htm
The Jerusalem Post (29 Jul 10)
http://www.jpost.com/Features/InThespotlight/Article.aspx?id=182962
National Geographic (21 Nov 08)
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/11/081121-biblical-city.html"
