Ziklag

Also known as Tel Sera, Tel Sera', Tell esh-Shari'a, Tell esh-Shari'ah, Tell esh-Sharia, Ziglag

Biblical History

Ziklag was listed as one of the 29 towns in Negev and was assigned to the tribe of Simeon (Josh 15:31; 19:5). It was apparently controlled by the Philistines during King Saul's rule, and was given by King Achish of Gath to David when he was running from Saul. David used it for a home base for raids against various groups who threatened the southern borders of Judah (1 Sam 27). After being away one time, he returned to find it ransacked by the Amalekites (see Nahal Besor).

Locating Ziklag

Numerous sites have been proposed for the biblical Ziklag. A. Alt suggested Ziklag was to be located at Tell Halif (Khuweilfeh), and the site was excavated by Joe Seger, with remains found mainly from the Early and Late Bronze Ages (3200-2350 & 1550-1200 B.C.), but not from the time of David (1000 B.C.). Tell Masos was proposed, but it also lacks remains from the right time. V. Fritz has advocated locating Ziklag at Tell Sheba (identified here as Beersheba), assuming that biblical Beersheba is located underneath the ruins of modern Beersheba.

Excavations

The photographs on this page are of Tell Sera (Tell esh-Sharia), which is identified as Ziklag by most scholars including Aharoni, B. Mazar, Kallai, Rainey, Na'aman, and Seger. The site is situated midway between Beersheba and Gaza at 535 ft (168 m) above sea level. About five acres at the summit, the tell is horseshoe shaped with steep slopes on all sides except on the west side. Six seasons of excavations by Eliezer Oren in the 1970s uncovered remains from Chalcolithic to early Islamic periods.

Related Websites

Ziklag (Daily Bible Study) Introduces the biblical events that happened at Ziklag, particularly David's experiences there.

Ziklag - Location Profile (Walking in Their Sandals) Summarizes the issues regarding the site's location and surveys its biblical significance.

Gift of Achish (Phoenix Data Systems) Part of a chapter from an on-line book by Neal Bierling. Discusses the issue of whether Tel Sera' or Tel Halif should be identified as Ziklag.