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 Ashkelon
    =Askelon=Ascalon, was one of the five cities of the Philistines
    (Josh. 13:3; 1 Sam. 6:17). It stood on the shore of the
    Mediterranean, 12 miles north of Gaza. It is mentioned on an
    inscription at Karnak in Egypt as having been taken by king
    Rameses II., the oppressor of the Hebrews. In the time of the
    judges (Judg. 1:18) it fell into the possession of the tribe of
    Judah; but it was soon after retaken by the Philistines (2 Sam.
    1:20), who were not finally dispossessed till the time of
    Alexander the Great. Samson went down to this place from
    Timnath, and slew thirty men and took their spoil. The prophets
    foretold its destruction (Jer. 25:20; 47:5, 7). It became a
    noted place in the Middle Ages, having been the scene of many a
    bloody battle between the Saracens and the Crusaders. It was
    beseiged and taken by Richard the Lion-hearted, and "within its
    walls and towers now standing he held his court." Among the Tell
    Amarna tablets (see EGYPT) are found letters or
    official despatches from Yadaya, "captain of horse and dust of
    the king's feet," to the "great king" of Egypt, dated from
    Ascalon. It is now called 'Askalan.