Day 10 – Friday, September 12: City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Siloam Pool, Southern Steps of Temple, Herodium, Bethlehem
Today was our first day here in Jerusalem. We enjoyed another sunny day, with a cooler day (highs in the low 80s). We visited the City of David first and ended the day in Bethlehem.
City of David/Hezekiah Tunnel
We started the day by driving to the City of David. After gathering on the observation tower and learning about the surrounding area, we walked down through the excavations (“Area G”). We saw David’s palace, city walls, and 7th-6th BC house structures (one of them was excavated/uncovered by Dr. John in June-July, 1982). We all continued through Warren’s Shaft (2 Samuel 5). The upper part of this discovery was probably used by David but not the vertical 52 foot shaft. Finally, we descended down to the Canaanite/Jebusite pool to the Gihon Spring. We then saw a newer movie about how Hezekiah’s Tunnel was chiseled out of stone before many in the group braved the waters of the 1,710 foot-long tunnel (2 Kings 19-20, 2 Chronicles 32). Others took the “dry” Jebusite tunnel built 100s of years earlier. Both groups met at the Pool of Siloam where we read John 9 in dramatic fashion. More of the pool (or reservoir pool) as been exposed, but without finding any more of the steps of the pool. It could be that the smaller pool outside the end of Hezekiah’s Tunnel may have been the ritual pool in the John 9 story (?). Time will tell.
Southern Steps
From the Pool of Siloam many in there group walked up the narrow Drainage Channel to the SW corner of the Temple (about 400 yards in distance) while others bussed up to the “Davidson Center.” Both groups converged under “Robinson’s Arch” where we walked on the Herodian pavement used no doubt by Jesus. The SW corner of the Temple may have been the pinnacle where Jesus was tempted (Mt. 4). We then walked over to the southern steps used by commoners. Jesus Himself (and His disciples, and Paul) would have used these steps to enter the Temple. We recalled the many mentioned in the NT who used these steps (Luke 2, 18; John 2; Mark 13; and Acts 2, etc…). Before leaving the steps, we considered how God wants us to be His spiritual temple (2 Corinthians 3).
“We visited the City of David this morning. The highlights included seeing David’s palace, walking through the water systems (Warren’s Shaft, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Canaanite Tunnel, and the Siloam Pool). It was amazing to make all these biblical connections.”
Herodium
Shortly after noon, David picked us up outside the Dung Gate. We drove a south and then east to Herodium. This was a palace-fortress built by Herod the Great. He was also buried here in 4 BC. The site was incredible, with many renovations and new displays. Inside the well-preserved official’s chamber (i.e “Reception Room”) where we saw a wonderful presentation. We then walked up 170 steps through the royal arches to the top where we saw the bathhouse, synagogue, impressive frescoes, and a great view of of the surrounding area, including Jerusalem! The view of the Dead Sea (and Jordan beyond) was incredible! We left the site by carefully walking down through the cistern system.
Bethlehem
From Herodium we drove through Beit Sahour to Bethlehem. At Nissan Brothers we visited their olive wood factory and store. These olive wood products were impressive and so well crafted.
We drove back to Jerusalem. Back at the hotel, the very nice Shabbat dinner was incredible. A free evening followed, with some walking to check out the King David Hotel.
Day 11 – Saturday, September 13: Garden Tomb, Mt. of Olives, Israel Museum, Pool of Bethesda, Via Dolorosa, Holy Sepulcher Church
