If you’ve already toured most of the famous sites in Israel, or if you are a fan of Biblical stories – this tour is for you! This specially designed private tour follows the Ark of the Covenant story, from the battle leading to its capture by the Philistines to its return to the Israelites at Beth-Shemesh and its aftermath. We will visit battlefields and archaeological sites and crawl into a giant cave. So fetch your Indiana Jones hat and whip, and let’s go!
After defeating the Israelites at Even Ha’ezer, the Philistines captured their holiest object – The Ark of the Covenant – and took it to Ashdod and later to Gat and Ekron. An archaeological expedition dug in ancient Ashdod in the 1960s, but later they covered the remains. Ancient Ekron was intensively excavated in the 1980’s-1990’s. Most of the site is also covered in backup. However, a rich presentation of the finds made at the site can be seen at “The “Philistine Street” in a kibbutz nearby. This will be our first stop and presentation on the subject.
The Philistines gave the ark back to the Israelites by sending it from Ekron to Beth-Shemesh. Biblical Beth-Shemesh has been excavated since the early 20th century. A remearkable discovery made in 2019 links to the ark’s presence. A big flat slab of stone, found in a room behind an animal sacrificial area, may have been the rest place of the ark.
The bible indicates that soon after, unfortunately, the Ark had to be moved again, as it had inflicted a plague in Bet-Shemesh. A team of priests carried it to Kiryat Yaarim, which is identified on the hill above the Arab village of Abu Ghosh. In the 19th century, Christian purchased the hill top and erected there Notre Dame de l’arche d’Alliance church. In recent years, an archaeological expedition dug around the church, uncovering finds that relate to a biblical-era cultic center.
After being crowned and establishing Jerusalem as his new capital city, David came to Kiryat Ya’arim, aiming to bring the ark to Jerusalem. But causing the death of Uzzah, David ordered to hold the ark for three months at a site called “Beit Over Edom Ha’giti.” New research at Motza, a site halfway between Kiryat Yaarim and Jerusalem, uncovered an Iron Age temple. Is this where the ark was kept?
