Gath was one of the five major Philistine city-states located west of Judah along the Mediterranean coast. The Philistines were frequent enemies of Israel during the period of the judges and the united monarchy. As such, Gath plays an important role in several biblical stories.
Gath in the Time of the Judges
During the chaotic period of the judges, the Philistines oppressed Israel and controlled much of their territory. Gath is mentioned as one of the Philistine strongholds during this time. In Judges 3:3, Gath is listed as one of the five Philistine cities along with Gaza, Ashdod, Ekron, and Ashkelon. These cities represent the power of the Philistines over Israel before the kingdom was established. Goliath of Gath, the giant warrior defeated by the future king David, also originated from Gath during the period of the judges (1 Samuel 17:4).
Gath as the Home of Goliath
The most famous reference to Gath in the Bible is as the hometown of Goliath, the giant Philistine warrior. 1 Samuel 17 describes Goliath as being from Gath and repeatedly identifies him as “Goliath of Gath” (1 Samuel 17:4, 23). He is described as being over nine feet tall and wearing heavy armor. For forty days, Goliath challenged the Israelite army to send a champion to face him in single combat. But no Israelite dared to fight him due to his massive size.
Enter the young David, a shepherd boy tasked with bringing food to his brothers on the battlefield. David accepts Goliath’s challenge, slays him with a slingshot, and cuts off his head. This act of bravery leads to a rout of the Philistine forces. David’s defeat of the formidable Goliath brought great glory to him and Israel. It was an early sign that he had been chosen by God to lead the nation. As such, Goliath of Gath represents the textile strength and boastfulness of Israel’s enemies that was overcome by faith in God.
David’s Conquest of Gath
After becoming king, David wages war against the Philistines and conquers Gath along with their other cities. 2 Samuel 8:1 states: “After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.” Metheg-ammah was another name for Gath. By capturing Gath, David dealt a major blow to the Philistines and eliminated a strategic stronghold near Judah’s border.
However, later in David’s reign he has to recapture Gath after the Philistines regain control of it. 1 Chronicles 18:1 says: “After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its villages out of the hand of the Philistines.” So Gath remained a contested city between Israel and Philistia throughout David’s kingship. Nevertheless, David’s conquest of this key city expanded Israelite territory and reduced the military threat from the Philistines.
Gath as the Refuge of David
In an interesting turn of events, David flees to Gath and seeks refuge with the Philistines at one point when Saul is pursuing him (1 Samuel 27:1-4). Achish, the king of Gath, allows David to stay in the city of Ziklag. David pretended to be raiding Israelite towns while actually raiding other non-Israelite groups. This shows that Gath had become more receptive to David after his previous conquests of their city. It also illustrates the complex relationship between Israel and Philistia during David’s time. Enemies at some points, and tentative allies at others.
The Capture of the Ark by Gath
One prominent story involving Gath occurs right before David’s kingship, during the priesthood of Eli. In 1 Samuel 5-6, the Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant and take it to Ashdod, one of their five cities. But misfortune befalls them. So they send the ark to Gath, but similar plagues continue there (1 Samuel 5:8-9). The ark gets sent around to a few more Philistine cities before being returned to Israel.
This story highlights Israel’s struggle to maintain possession of the ark – the symbol of God’s presence and blessing – during the chaotic period of the judges. The capture of the ark by Gath showed the Philistine dominance over Israel at the time. Yet their inability to keep the ark also displayed God’s power and protection of his people. So Gath was both a place of national defeat but also spiritual victory for Israel.
Gath’s Prominence in the Kingdom Period
During the united monarchy under David and Solomon, Gath continued to be an important Philistine city that threatened Israel’s western border. 1 Kings 2:39 mentions Phaltiel, a man from Gath, during David’s old age. 2 Chronicles 11:8 states that Solomon fortified cities near Gath to protect his kingdom. And the prophets Amos and Micah both refer to Gath when predicting God’s judgment on the Philistine cities as enemies of Israel (Amos 6:2, Micah 1:10).
So while David and Solomon expanded Israel’s control and influence, Gath remained independent and strong. It was likely the last of the five Philistine cities to fall under Israelite rule. The kings had to devote military resources to contain the persistent threat it posed. Gath’s prominence throughout the united monarchy demonstrates that Philistine power was not completely broken until the end of Solomon’s reign.
Gath after the Kingdom Divides
During the divided monarchy, Gath is specifically mentioned as being under the control of the kings of Judah. 2 Chronicles 11:8 says that Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, fortified and garrison cities in Judah and Benjamin, including Gath. And 2 Chronicles 26:6 states that Uzziah, another king of Judah, went to war against and broke down the walls of Gath.
These verses suggest Gath had likely fallen under Judah’s control during the 9th century BC after the kingdom split. With both Israel and Judah warring against the Philistines at this time, Gath was probably conquered and annexed by one of the Hebrew kingdoms, most likely Judah. From then on, it was held and fortified by the kings of Judah to defend against future Philistine attacks.
Significance and Legacy
In summary, Gath served as a strategic Philistine stronghold that played a key role in Israel’s early history. As one of the five major Philistine cities that dominated Israel in the 12th-11th century BC, Gath represents Israel’s struggle for land and security against enemies like the Philistines. It was the hometown of the infamous warrior Goliath, further illustrating the might of the Philistines. David’s conquest of Gath was a turning point that signaled Israel’s new dominance and control over the region. Yet Gath remained independent and threatening for many years after, requiring defensive fortifications into the 8th century BC.
Gath’s tenacity mirrors that of the Philistines as a whole, who remained a pagan thorn in Israel’s side until the kingdom was far advanced. The city’s presence in the biblical narrative emphasizes the significant threat pagan peoples posed to Israel’s growth and obedience to God. Only by remaining faithful and courageous before enemies like the Philistines could Israel thrive. So while a pagan city, Gath played an important role in Israel’s story as an antagonist that tested Israel’s allegiance to God.
Archaeological excavations at Tell es-Safi, the possible site of Gath, continue to uncover artifacts from Philistine culture and the various conquests of the city. Evidence of advanced metallurgy, distinctive pottery, and monumental architecture confirm the biblical descriptions of Gath as a formidable Philistine capital. Though the city faded in importance after the 8th century BC, its legacy lives on through the Bible’s emphasis on this key enemy stronghold that stood in the way of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land.
Other Minor References to Gath
In addition to the major stories above, Gath is referenced in a few other minor contexts in the Old Testament:
- Joshua 11:22 states that the Anakim people remained only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod after Joshua’s conquest of Canaan.
- Joshua 13:3 mentions Gath as part of the unfinished task of conquering the Promised Land.
- 1 Chronicles 7:21 notes that men from Gath killed Ephraimites who tried to steal livestock from the Gathites.
- 2 Kings 12:17 describes Hazael, king of Aram, attacking and capturing Gath during the rule of Jehoash of Judah.
In summary, while not playing a major role, Gath’s inclusion in these verses show it was an ever-present city the Israelites had to reckon with, from the conquest to the divided monarchy. The Bible highlights it as one of the leading Philistine cities that stood in opposition to Israel’s security and obedience to God.
Outside of the Old Testament historical references, Gath is not mentioned in the New Testament. The city had declined considerably by the first century AD. The New Testament is focused on Jesus’ life and the early church, not past Philistine strongholds. But Gath’s legacy remains through the Old Testament’s emphasis on this key Philistine city that was a thorn in Israel’s side for centuries.