November 15, 2025

Ten of My Favorite Places in Israel …

#8, the City of David

“David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the City of David … and David lived in the stronghold and called it the City of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward” (2 Samuel 5:7, 9).

Bethlehem is considered the City of David because that town was the birthplace of the great king (Luke 2:4). However, the site of our consideration this week is the city that David captured, which later came to be known as Jerusalem!

Until King Hezekiah’s expansion, Old Testament Jerusalem was just the hill of Ophel on the southeast corner of the New Testament city. That whole area is one of my favorite places to visit in Israel, not only because King David is a bona fide hero of mine, but because there is so much to see.

The City of David is a necessary stop on any visit to Jerusalem today. You will walk through partial remains of David’s own palace and gaze upon a stepped stone structure (pictured) on the hill’s east side. As David walked the walls of his palace, he looked down on the rooftops below and saw Bathsheba. Was one of these ancient remains her house?

Hezekiah’s tunnel is a popular destination as well. You will walk through 1,750 feet of tunnel, carved through the rock, that ends up near the recently discovered Pool of Siloam. After you emerge from the tunnel, walk past the small reservoir that they once thought was the pool, turn to your left, and go down just a little in order to visit the actual location.

You will have to take my word for it, but I once encountered some archaeologists working in the City of David at a secured site that is likely Melchizedek’s shrine, the place where Judah’s kings were anointed. A few years ago we dropped some names to get close enough to see the inside of the cave. Also, a large stone tower still stands that was part of Nehemiah’s rebuilding project (Nehemiah 3).

I can’t wait for the day that I can return to the palace of my hero, and to take in the rich history and many wonders of David’s old city!

Adam Keim

Scripture Study: Watching Jesus Pray, part 3

Luke 22:39-46

E. In the last phrase of v. 41 we read that Jesus “knelt down and prayed.” It literally says that Jesus prayed by placing the knees. It may be that not only did Jesus go to the same spot to pray on a regular basis, but he placed his knees on the same spot each time. If you were to have passed the place where he prayed, there might have been two worn circles in the grass.

Wouldn’t it say something if I went to your bedside and found two worn circles in the carpet or on the linoleum? Of course we’re not required to pray kneeling down, but if you want a humbling and meaningful experience, try it. Place a pillow under your knees for comfort if you like and talk to your King from your knees. Maybe not all the time, but try it.

Other gospel writers explain that Jesus prayed “face down.” Many people all over the world still pray face down. Maybe you’ve seen pictures. It’s still very common for folks in the Middle East to pray face down. One famous Bible teacher, William R. Newell, said that kneeling is a good way to pray because it is uncomfortable.

Daniel prayed on his knees three times a day. Jim Elliot, famous in death for being one of the five missionaries murdered by the Auca Indians over half a century ago, said, “That saint who advances on his knees never retreats.”

I’ll never forget the scene I personally witnessed in Libre Union, Mexico, some years ago. We had arrived at the church to set up for evangelistic movies, and I peeked inside the church that was sponsoring the event. There at the front by the altar I saw three teenage girls kneeling in prayer. Their bare knees on the hard concrete floor. Mesmerized by the scene I watched for some 10-15 minutes. They never moved. They must have been so captivated by their Savior that they did not even consider their own discomfort.

F. Then there’s the phrase in v. 45, “when He rose up from prayer.” After Jesus prayed he stood to his feet and almost immediately was taken into custody, beaten, mocked and crucified.

After prayer we must face our world. Jesus didn’t hide out in the garden to escape the world. He prayed to prepare himself to face the world.

G. Let me offer now a few practical suggestions about your time of prayer.

1. Keep a pad of paper and a pencil (or your phone) next to where you pray, so that you can write down things that come to mind as you pray. You suddenly remember that you promised to pick up your friend tomorrow at 3 pm and don’t want to forget. Jot it down really quick so that it won’t keep distracting you. Or just ask the Lord to remind you again when you’re done.

2. Don’t lay down when you pray. No one has the self-discipline to pray while lying down.

3. Pray when you are most fresh. Showers and coffee are for those times when you can barely keep your eyelids open. Prayer is for those times when you are most alert. Give God the best part of your day. Morning, noon, or night. Whatever time works for you.

We’ve already seen that prayer was a habit for Jesus. Next time we’ll begin at verse 40.

Daniel McCabe

Trivia

What desert covers more than half of Israel’s land mass?

On Location: The Neighborhood of Mea Shearim

This ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem is a fascinating place to visit, but tourists who do so should treat the local residents with respect. The people who live there are not museum pieces. It is their home. Therefore, please keep these general guidelines in mind if you ever choose to visit.

1. Walk through the neighborhood in very small groups, perhaps no more than three or four. Avoid loud talking and laughter. A quiet presence is greatly appreciated by the residents.

2. Men, although it’s not strictly a requirement, you will be better received if you cover your heads. Be sure to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts as well.

3. Ladies, although only the married women of Mea Shearim are required to cover their hair with a scarf, hat or wig, it would be thoughtful for you to cover your hair whether you are married or not. Be sure to wear long skirts, long-sleeved blouses and high necklines. Modesty is necessary and expected.

4. Taking pictures and video is not typically well received, and any use of smartphones should be done discreetly so as not to offend.

5. Men should address men, and women should address women. Don’t ask provocative questions or barter aggressively with shop owners.

6. Visit on a weekday, not on the Sabbath (Saturday) or on holy days. Definitely do not drive a car through the neighborhood on the Sabbath as it might be met with verbal or even physical resistance.

Daniel McCabe

Scripture Study: Your Very Own Fig Tree

1 Kings 4:25 mentions that “Judah and Israel lived in safety from Dan even to Beersheba [that’s from the far North to the far South of the country] every man under his vine and under his fig tree all the days of Solomon.”

In Isaiah 36:16 the Rabshakeh challenges Israel to abandon King Hezekiah and make peace with the king of Assyria so that “each one of you will eat of his own vine and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own cistern.” This haughty Assyrian official was trying to convince the people that they could experience peace in their homeland of Israel if they would just submit to the king of Assyria.

These two passages came to mind recently, for I’m trying to nurse back to health a young fig tree in my backyard. My dream someday is to eat figs from my very own fig tree and even to relax under it.

But do you know what prophet describes a future for Israel in which everyone will be able to do just that? The answer is found in Micah 4:4. Micah is a wonderful book. Like many of the minor prophets and all the prophets in general, Micah speaks of a judgment that’s coming to Israel in his own day, but also of a great promise of restoration in the future.

I must admit that I may have to transplant my fig tree to a better spot in my yard or perhaps I may have to buy a new fig tree altogether. But in celebration of this future hope for Israel, let me share with you Micah’s beautiful promise from 4:1-5. He writes, “It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills, and peoples shall flow to it. And many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob that He may teach us His ways, and that we may walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the LORD. From Jerusalem He shall judge between many peoples and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

This has not yet happened in history. There is much recorded by the Old Testament prophets and even in the New Testament that might be confusing and cause you to consider, “When did this happen?” This isn’t the reality I see when I look around me, and I haven’t see this in history either, so then it must take place in the future.

Now vs. 4-5, “But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid. For the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken, for all the people walk each in the name of his God, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever.”

Beautiful words! Hopeful words!

Adam Keim

Answer to the Trivia

C. The Negev

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