Beth-shemesh
(Joshua 15:10)
Located on the border of Judean Hills, there are many important sites in vicinity: Cave of the Twins, Netifim (stalactite) Cave, Naham wood and Tel Bet Shemesh, the site of the excavations.
Biblical Beth-shemesh controlled the important ancient road from the Judean Foothills to Jerusalem. Its beginnings date from the Early Bronze Age; it was only enclosed by a city wall in the Middle Bronze Age. In the Late Bronze Age it was a prosperous city having commercial relations with neighboring countries. During the Israelite conquest of Joshua it was allotted to the tribe of Dan but apparently it was not at first conquered. In I Samuel 6 it is related how Philistines returned Ark of the Law to Beth-shemesh after its capture in the battle of Aphek.
“And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth-shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us.
And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and……..
