Gath

One of the Philistine Pentapolis cities located on the coastal plain in southern Palestine (Josh 13:3). It, like Ashdod, was one of the remaining homes of the Anakim (giants). The city is mentioned twice in conjunction with the stories about the Ark of the Covenant (1Sam 4-6; 2Sam 6). The Philistine inhabitants of Ashdod sent the Ark to Gath (1Sam 5:8; 1Sam 6:17; 1Sam 7:14). Gath was also the home of Goliath the Philistine (1Sam 17:4; 1Sam 17:23). David befriended Achish, the king of Gath, during his period of social banditry (1Sam 27:2-11). However, Gath continued as a center of opposition to the Hebrews, and it provided fighting men who opposed the Hebrews (2Sam 15:18; 2Sam 21:20). During the reign of Joash (ca. 800–785 BCE) Hazael, king of Damascus/Syria, took the city (2Kgs 12:17). According to the Chronicler, the city was captured by David (2Chr 26:6) and recaptured by Uzziah (ca. 783–742 BCE).