– DVD video chapter – Megiddo

– Location –

Megiddo stands on the southern edge of the Jezreel Valley on the most famous battlefield in the world.  Some scholars believe more battles were fought here than in any other place in the world.  The Jezreel valley was probably the most strategic real estate in Israel.  Battles fought in the Jezreel Valley were literally fought for control of the world. Whoever ruled the area could dominate world economics, trade and culture.  Megiddo once served as a center for pagan worship and a Canaanite high place discovered there features a large altar dating back almost 5000 years.  Controlling Megiddo meant having enormous influence over the ancient world, and people often vied for its control.  Archaeologists have discovered over twenty layers in Tell Megiddo, each representing a time when the city was battled for, destroyed, and rebuilt.  Even the name of the city itself, the hill of Megiddo or Har Megiddo in Hebrew, attests to its importance as the place of Armageddon (Har Megiddo).  It was used as a symbol of the great battle between good and evil that will one day result in God’s triumph.   

– Scripture –

·         1 Sam 28:4 - Saul and his army camp at Jezreel.

·         1 Kings 9:15-19 - King Solomon fortifies the city of Megiddo.

·         1 Kings 17:1-19:4 - The ministry of Elijah was situated in this region and also in Phoenicia.

·         2 Kings 5 - The healing of Naaman of Syria by the prophet Elisha occurs in this region.

·         2 Kings 8:28-10:36 - Ahaziah, king of Judah, makes a house call on Joram, king of Israel, in the city of Jezreel.  Jehu rides in and takes the kingdom by defeating both kings, and avenges the death of Naboth by killing Jezebel.

·         2 Kings 23:28-30 - Josiah vainly attempts to stop Pharaoh Necho and the Egyptian army who were on the way to assist the Assyrian forces fighting against the Babylonians.

·         Revelation 16:12-16 - The valley of the Hill of Megiddo, or the Valley of Armageddon, is a place of international warfare. 

– Questions –

1.     One of many questions of this part of Biblical history is about Naboth, Ahab and Elijah.  (I Kings 21:1-24 and II Kings 9:19-26).

2.  A great historical issue for any and every day – the issue of the divine right of Kings.  Can Kings, Dictators, and Premiers, etc. take your life, property, home, etc. if they chose?  The story of Ahab and Naboth shows that God condemns such control of individuals and this is one of the first stories in the Bible that leads ultimately to Democracy.  Remember the Magna Carat in England at that great chapter of English political and Runnemede civil liberties was signed June 15, 1215 by King John.

 – Map (from www.anova.org) – http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/018.htm