Location
Overview
Ashkelon was the great Philistine seaport, the only one of the five cities directly on the Mediterranean, a centre of trade and one of the lords of the Philistines.
Samson at Ashkelon
To pay a wager he had lost, Samson "went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle" (Judges 14:19).
Taken and contested
Judah took Ashkelon for a time (Judges 1:18), but it remained a Philistine stronghold. David's lament warns, "tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon" (2 Samuel 1:20), lest the Philistines rejoice.
Under prophetic judgment
The prophets repeatedly named Ashkelon in oracles against Philistia: "Ashkelon shall not be inhabited" (Zechariah 9:5; cf. Amos 1:8; Zephaniah 2:4; Jeremiah 47:5).
Events Here
Samson strikes down thirty men at Ashkelon
Scripture References
11 versesJudges2 verses
Judges 1:18
Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof.
Judges 14:19
And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house. spoil: or, apparel
1 Samuel1 verse
1 Samuel 6:17
And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;
2 Samuel1 verse
2 Samuel 1:20
Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
Jeremiah3 verses
Jeremiah 25:20
And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,
Jeremiah 47:5
Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
Jeremiah 47:7
How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it. How: Heb. How canst thou
Amos1 verse
Amos 1:8
And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.
Zephaniah2 verses
Zephaniah 2:4
For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
Zephaniah 2:7
And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity. for the LORD: or, when, etc
Zechariah1 verse
Zechariah 9:5
Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
Archaeology & History
Ashkelon is one of the oldest and largest seaports of the ancient Levant, with remains spanning Canaanite, Philistine, and later periods — including a Bronze Age arched gate and a Philistine city with its distinctive culture. It flourished for millennia on the Mediterranean coast.
Frequently asked about Ashkelon
Where is Ashkelon today?
Today, Ashkelon corresponds to Ashkelon, Israel.
What happened at Ashkelon in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Ashkelon include samson strikes down thirty men at ashkelon.
Where is Ashkelon first mentioned in the Bible?
Ashkelon is first mentioned in Judges 1:18.
How often is Ashkelon mentioned in the Bible?
Ashkelon is mentioned in 11 verses across 7 books: Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Jeremiah, Amos, Zephaniah, Zechariah.
What did Samson do at Ashkelon?
To pay off a lost wager from his wedding riddle, Samson went down to Ashkelon and struck down thirty men, taking their garments.
Was Ashkelon a Philistine city?
Yes — one of the five chief Philistine cities, and the only one of them situated directly on the Mediterranean coast.