goliath and david battle site
azekah
Ziklag
gat

The Sites of David’s Game of Thrones

Special Themed Tour – The Sites of David’s Game of Thrones

David’s character is quite controversial. The Bible describes him as a hero and savior in the battle against Goliath, but later as a bandit and a mad man. He is the founder of a kingdom but does not hesitate to kill one of his loyal officers to covet his wife. This special private tour will follow some of the sites that relate to the formative events that led David from shepherd to king.

Track David and Goliath’s Battle Site

The Book of Samuel presents the Philistines as more advanced than the Israelites. They were more organized and better armed with metal weapons. It is no surprise the Philistines even captured the Ark of the Covenant in one of the battles against the Israelites. A pivotal moment in the balance between the two powers took place in the Shephelah during a battle. A young shepherd of the tribe of Judah slew, with just a sling, the mightiest Philistine warrior. His name was David. Our tour will begin with a drive into the Shephelah, and a review of the battle site from the top of Azekah. We will also drive down to the brook, and try and trace pebbles like the ones David used.

See Where David Drooled at Gath

David’s triumph saved the Israelites, but it made King Saul envious. David had to flee, and surprisingly he turned to the enemy, Achish King of Gath. Drooling at the gate his city, David hoped Achish would think he had gone mad, and would let him in. Biblical Gath was identified only in the 1990’s and has been excavated in the last 20 years by an expedition from Bar-Ilan University. Recently, archaeologist uncovered the foundations of the city’s lower gate. Could this be the place where David acted like a mad man? We will visit the site and review the finds.

The Elusive Site of Ziklag

Eventually Achish gave David, and his people, a village in his territory called Ziklag. David used Ziklag as a base for raiding neighboring tribes, such as the Amalekites. Ziklag is also where David heard of Saul’s death in a battle against the Philistines in Gilboa. In response, David expressed a beautiful lamentation, recited by some in funerals to this day.

“A gazelle lies slain on your heights, Israel. 
How the mighty have fallen!
Tell it not in Gath,
proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice.” (II Samuel 1:19-20)

ziklagSoon after, David took the throne, moved to Hevron, united all the tribes under his control, and eventually established a new capital – Jerusalem. The location of Biblical Ziklag is uncertain. Several offers were made in the past, but none were convincing enough.

Recently a team excavating in the southern part of the Shephelah uncovered a site that bears levels of use both from the time of the Philistines, and the time of King David. Being so, they suggest this site could be the elusive site of Ziklag. We will reach this new and intriguing site with off-road vehicles, review its finds, and discuss their meaning.

What’s included

  • Guiding done by a licensed and expert private guide
  • Transportation in luxury level van or SUV
  • Pick-up and drop-off at any address
  • Free Wi-Fi and chilled bottled mineral water

What’s excluded

  • Site entrance fees
  • Meals and snacks
  • Gratuities

What to bring

  • Hat and sunscreen
  • Some cash

Email or contact us to inquire more about this special themed private tour:

    We booked a helicopter tour with Danny in March. Everything perfectly organized from A to Z!! It doesn't get any better! Thanks a lot for this! 100% recommended!

    Albert S,. Germany

    I would like to thank you once again for the really good time we had in Israel, thanks to you. The whole experience… had an amazing impact on me, it made me see things in a different light.. thank you!

    Mieke Van der V., Holland

    My parents cannot stop talking about how you made this trip so amazing!! .. We just loved how you made everything so interesting and educational. Thank you again for everything!!... Israel is lucky to have you.

    Dalia S., USA

    Thank you for an amazing couple of days, we could not have seen half of what we wanted without you. Everything was perfect!

    Allison W,. USA

    Thanks very much for a really special day. I loved being able to go to the special places for Christians.. an everlasting experience for me… And thanks… for your professionalism and deep knowledge and dedication...

    Ann D., New Zealand

    Related Tours

    More Tours