David Reaffirmed As King at Ancient Gilgal Camp Discovered In Israel
Gilgal Camp
Dallas, TX – March 18, 2013 He lived more than three thousand years ago, and the city bearing his name still thrives today. The City of David, named after the shepherd-king, is teaming with archaeologists, biblical scholars, and tourists who share a passion for the Word of God and Israel’s history. “We visited the City of David, and it felt like we were taken 3000 years back!” said the Goldstein Family of France. Ir David, with recent archaeological discoveries and state-of-the-art educational opportunities, stands as a memorial to the legacy of King David and ancient Jerusalem. However, the King was not always held in such high esteem and surrounded by majesty!
David’s life was also riddled with poor choices and unfortunate consequences, like the attempted takeover by his son Absalom. “Certainly, every man is profoundly influenced by the love and affection of a concerned father or the neglect and abandonment of an absentee dad. Definitely, Absalom had a bent towards jealousy, pride, and anger, regardless of David’s attentiveness,” says Dr. John Turner, Education Director of the Father’s House. John adds, “Naturally, taking the throne of King David would not only satisfy his desire for power and wealth but feed his evil inclination towards bitterness and revenge.” The NIV version of 2 Samuel 16: 6 tells us that “Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.”
While at Jerusalem, Absalom built support for himself among the populace by promising justice for all "if only I were appointed judge in the land." Through such deceit and manipulation, Absalom managed to raise a revolt at Hebron, the former capital, in order to declare himself king. David, attended only by a few faithful followers and a body guard from Gath, reluctantly decided it best to flee. He took refuge from Absalom’s forces beyond the Jordan River, near the branch of the Jabbok.
Wisely, David instructed his servant Hushai to infiltrate Absalom's court and subvert it. Hushai convinced Absalom to ignore Ahithophel's advice to attack his father while he was on the run, and instead prepare his forces for a major attack. This gave David critical time to prepare his own troops for the coming battle. More than twenty thousand soldiers died in the fight between David and his son at the woods of Ephraim, and when the dust had settled, Absalom perished as well. Today, Absalom’s tomb stands in the Valley of Judgment, looking up to Mount Moriah, the mountain of sacrifice, and to Ir David, the City of David.
The people of Israel did repent of their rebellion, and the Bible records that “the men of Judah came to Gilgal to go out and meet the king (David) and bring him across the Jordan.” (2 Sam.19:15) David’s kingship was renewed at the ancient Gilgal camp just west of the Jordan River. Today, Moshav Argaman has contracted with the MHF Israel to develop the ancient campsite at Gilgal for mass public access. Tax deductible contributions to help with the project can be made in the United States to the Gilgal Fund of the Father's House Educational Foundation (www.fathershousefoundation.com), a registered 501c3 non-profit organization based in Glen Rose, Texas.
For more information about the Gilgal Education Center, and how to travel there, visit www.gilgaleducationcenter.org or contact Kevin Bentley at kbentley@fathershousefoundation.com or 817-556-1061.
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To bless God's people and increase their joy by creating experiences and supporting causes that
• teach biblical truth and heritage in the context of the Bible's land and culture,
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• impart biblical legacies of faith for the benefit of future generations
in order to make the Father's unchanging message more relevant, practical, and personal from generation to generation. (www.fathershousefoundation.com)
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