Archaeology supports story of Samson & Philistine temple...!! [No.2]

Archaeology has been found to support yet another Biblical story (history) - the account of mighty Samson & his death in Philistine temple.

*picture: 2 circular pillar bases of the Philistine temple @Tell Qasile

Samson was an Israelite hero (Judge) whose strength was legendary among the Israelites & their enemies, the Philistines. Tricked, captured & blinded by Philistines, he was put to work grinding grain as a beast of burden. The story (history) of Samson concludes in the book of Judges. [16:23-30].
His last moments were like this, according to the Scriptures:
"Samson then said to the boy who was leading him by the hand, 'Lead me where I can touch the pillars supporting the building, so that I can lean against them.' Now the building was crowded with men and women. All the Philistine chiefs were there, while about three thousand men and women were watching Samson's feats from the terrace. Samson called on Yahweh (Adonai) and cried out, 'L-rd Yahweh (Adonai), I beg You, remember me; give me strength again this once, O G-d, and let me be revenged on the Philistines at one blow for my two eyes.' And Samson took hold of the two central pillars supporting the building, and braced himself with his right arm round one and his left round the other; and he shouted, 'Let me die with the Philistines!' He then heaved with all his might, and the building fell on the chiefs and on all the people there. Those whom he brought to their death by his death outnumbered those whom he had done to death during his life. His brothers and the whole of his father's family came down and carried him away. They took him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel for twenty years." (NJB Judges 16:31)


Critics ofcourse have doubted the story & called it a myth.They have argued that a Philistine temple would not have had 2 central pillars supporting the roof since this wasn't a typical architectural design of Middle Eastern temples. But after the remains of two Philistine temples have been excavated, what do they reveal? Both have two main pillars supporting the roof....!!
One of the Philistine temple is at Tell Quasille, (now : a part of modern city of Tel Aviv). Archaeologist Amihai Mazar found the remains of a small Philistine temple in the 1970's & sure enough, he discovered 2 column bases for a pair of central pillars supporting the roof. They were close enough together that the large man could reach both of them at once.
Some 20 miles away, at the Philistine site, at the Philistine site of ancient Ekron, archaeologist Trude Dothan discovered another temple in 1990s with the same characteristics - 2 central pillars supporting a roof.

The city of Gath, where Samson's account takes place, has not been excavated, as a modern city has been built on top of the remains. Yet, being one of the main Philistine cities, it is reasonable to imagine that it would have had a much larger temple, holding many more people. Archaeologist Bryant Wood explains the significances of the discoveries. ("Samson & the temple of Dagon", Bible & Spade, 1974, pp53-54) & his reports completely supports the descriptions given in the Holy Bible.

Let His Name alone shall be glorified.

Ba ruc.h HaShem
shalom