Lachish

Lachish became one of ancient Israel's largest cities because of its strategic location. It defended Israel's flank and protected a southern approach to Jerusalem. In ancient times it was believed that as long as the city of Lachish stood, Jerusalem remained safe. But if Lachish fell, Jerusalem would likely follow.

It was a well-fortified city, and from ongoing excavations, archaeologists have unearthed the largest gate complex in ancient Israel to date. The massive double gate included both an outer gate structure and an inner gate. Its massive size reveals the strength and importance of ancient Lachish.

Lachish was besieged by the Assyrian king Sennacherib during Hezekiah’s reign (2nd Kings 19:8). Together with Azekah, it was the last city to withstand Nebuchadnezzar in the south during the Babylonian conquests (Jer. 34:7).

The famous Lachish letters, discovered in 1937, contain correspondence between the commanders of Azekah and Lachish during the last days before the Babylonian captivity. A watchman would look for the signal fires of Azekah each day and then write a report for the King of Lachish, saying something like, "I can still see the fires of Azekah."  As long as Azekah's fires kept burning, the king of Lachish knew that the city still stood. But when Azekah finally fell to the Babylonians, their signal fires stopped, thus signifying to the people of Lachish that the Babylonians would soon attack.