Megiddo Throughout its long history, it knew almost no peace. "25 times built and  25 times destroyed." "Armageddon" derives from the Hebrew Har Megiddo, meaning "Mount Megiddo." The imposing 100-foot high. Covers 13 acres and is located in the Jezreel Valley, 6 miles southeast of Haifa and 70 miles northwest of Jerusalem. From the summit there is a commanding view, of the Jezreel Valley, Mount Tabor, Mount Gilboa, Nazareth to the northeast, and the Carmel mountain to the northwest. Settlement History 3300-3100 BC - The first formal temple complex was erected, serving the largest city ever erected at the site. By the end of the 3rd millennium BC the city was walled. 2200 to 1150 BC - Megiddo became one of the most prominent cities of the region. Surrounded by a beaten-earth wall that can still be seen in the steep slopes of the mound. 15th century BC - The wealthy and powerful princes of Megiddo joined a rebellion of Canaanite rulers against their Egyptian overlords. Scene of battles between great empires. * 1200 BC - During this period the Israelites invaded Palestine. Megiddo lay in the territory allotted to the tribe of Manasseh. Bible list of the cities conquered by Joshua {Joshua 12:21} * 1000 BC - After a decade or two, Megiddo was again occupied, probably by the Israelites during the reign of Saul. * 950 BC - We do know that by King Solomon's time in the 10th century BC,   Baana, son of Ahilud, served as governor, residing there. {1 Kings 4:12} Solomon left his stamp on Megiddo's architecture: Forced labor that King Solomon imposed: {1 Kings 9: 15} Became where tax payments were collected. {1 Kings 9:16-19}) * 924 to 722 BC - Following the death of Solomon, * 920 BC - Pharaoh Sheshonk I took control of the Via Maris, the coastal highway, and Megiddo. * 874-853 BC - During the 22 year reign of King Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel, Enclosed within a twelve-foot thick walls, also, An impressive water tunnel system was completed, allowing access nearby spring under siege conditions. * 843 BC - Ahaziah, king of Judah, was killed at Megiddo while attempting to flee from Jehu, king of Israel. {2 Kings 9:27}     * 733 BC - After conquest of Palestine by Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria, a new city with impressive palaces was erected at Megiddo under administrative district in the Assyrian Empire. * 650 BC - Megiddo was no longer strongly fortified after the decline of the Assyrians. However, it was still strategically important. * 609-332 BC - In 609 BC, Megiddo played a brief role, when King Josiah of Judah, the last independent ruler from the House of David, rode northward to head off Pharaoh Necho II and his large Egyptian force pushing their way to Carchemish in Syria. He hoped to gain control of the territory of the former kingdom of Israel abandoned by the disintegrating Assyrian Empire. Josiah was killed at Megiddo. {2 Kings 23:29-30} {2 Chronicles 35:22-24} With his death, the city at last lost its importance. * 332 BC, the Persian period it lay deserted and in ruins. Modern Times Megiddo has played a role in determining the fate of empires. In 1918, British general Allenby, using Thutmose III's 15th century BC campaign as his model, swept up the pass by way of Megiddo to outflank the Ottoman Turks and Germans to seal a British victory. In 1948 Jewish and Arab forces fought at Megiddo during the War of Independence. "Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon" {Revelation 16:16} RETURN