BETHSHEMESH

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8329, 15 January 1913, Page 7

BETHSHEMESH

ANCIENT CITY UNEARTHED BY EXPLORERS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 14, 9.55 p.m.J LONDON, January 14. Explorers have unearthed tho ancient city of Bethshemesh, thirty miles from Jerusalem. Bethshemesh (“House of tho Sun,” or "Sun Town"; modern name, Ain-esh-She:no, “Fountain of tho Sun,” now distinguishable by neither house nor fountain from which it was likely to derive its name), a ruined city of Palestine, fifteen miles west-south-west of Jerusalem, finely situated on tho point of a low ridge, commanding an extensive view of tho country, rendered interesting by tho exploits of Samten. Bethshemesh was a sacerdotal city belonging to tho tribe of Judah, bordering abke on the possessions of Dan and of the Philistines, and fixed by Eusebius ton Koman miles from Elcutheropolis, on the N'icopolis road- It is interesting as tho place where the Ark of the Lord, first rested, after the Philistines had sent it back (I Sam. VI). One of Solomon’s twelve purveyors resided at Bethshemesh, where also was fought the battle between Judah and Israel, in which Jehoaah captured Amaziah (2 Kings XIV., 11-13). Bethshemesh was taken by tho Philistine* during tho reign of Ahaz. and from that time disappears from sacred history.