Ashkelon

Many Holy Land Christian tours stop in Ashkelon because of its rich biblical and historical qualities. This is the location where Samson took down 30 Philistines, taking their clothing and using it for payment for the 30 guests who solved his riddle at his wedding (Judges 14:11-19). Ashkelon, one of the five Philistine cities, is mentioned in David's eulogy for Jonathan and Saul (2 Sam. 1:20). Ashkelon was located on the Via Maris, which is the road that connects Egypt and Assyria. During the Roman period it grew, thriving and becoming a commercial center of agriculture during the Byzantine Christian era. Ashkelon National Park, a wonderful stop on Israel Holy Land tours, is home to the oldest arches in the world (which date back to 1850 BCE), what's left of a shrine to Ba'al (Canaanite calf deity), Roman statues and colonnades, Crusader walls and a beautiful beach and picnic area.

Joshua 13: 1-2

1 Now Joshua was old and advanced in years; and the Lord said to him, "You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to be possessed. 2 This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites