Aphek: Philistines prepare to battle Israel

Sea People, commonly called Philistines, portrayed on the temple walls at Medinet-Habu in Egypt.

One of the significant battles between Israel and the Philistines took place during the time of Samuel when the ark of the covenant was located in the tent of meeting at Shiloh.

And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. (1 Samuel 4:1 ESV)

Israel encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek in the plain of Sharon. This indicates that the two places were fairly close to each other. Aphek is located about 21 miles west of Shiloh. Ebenezer is about 2 miles east of Aphek.

Map courtesy of BibleMapper Blog. The map shows much more than we are discussing here, but notice at the top the location of Aphek, Ebenezer?, and Shiloh. Look to the bottom left

Israel encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek in the plain of Sharon. This indicates that the two places were fairly close to each other. Aphek is located about 21 miles west of Shiloh. Ebenezer is about 2 miles east of Aphek.

We pointed out in the previous post that the city was named Antipatris in the Roman period.

The site is mentioned in Egyptian records of the 19th and 15th century B.C. (Murphy-O’Connor). The building pictured below is identified as the Egyptian Governor’s Palace.

Reconstructed ruins of the Egyptian Commander’s Palace (foreground).

On a visit in March of this year Leon Mauldin and I found flowers blooming in abundance.

Cyclamen were seen in abundance after the winter rains.

Because Aphek-Antipatris is an Israeli National Park we see signs providing information about the site.

This is also the site of Antipatris where Paul stayed on his way to Rome.

2 responses to “Aphek: Philistines prepare to battle Israel

  1. Yes we didn’t visit Israel ..but Egypt was a very interesting site saw . I am I found your site Thanks Anita

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