Bethel

Bethel is located about 10 miles north of Jerusalem. Archaeologists agree that there was a continuous occupation of the area from before 2,000 BC. Today, Bethel is known as Beitin.   

It is first mentioned in Genesis 12 where Abraham built an altar. Jacob had his dream of a ladder connecting heaven and earth in Bethel. 

The Ark of the Covenant resided in Bethel for a period of time in the Judges (see Judges 20:26), and it was a city on the priestly circuit of Samuel.

When Israel divided into two kingdoms, Bethel became one of the worship centers for the Northern 10 Tribes. Jeroboam set up a golden calf in Dan and another in Bethel in an attempt prevent Temple worship in Jerusalem. 

Bethel was defeated by the Assyrians, along with the rest of the Northern Kingdom, in 721 BC.