Megiddo: "A place of Crowds" Israel's most fertile valley. Most battled location in the world. Fort used by many kings. King Ahab built a water source here. Judg. 5:19 Fortified by Solomon 1 Kgs. 9:15 The place where Ahaziah died of his wounds (2 Kgs. 9:27). Also the scene of the tragic defeat and death of King Josiah (23:29–30; 2 Chr. 35:22). In Zech. 12:11 the place is called “the valley of Megiddon.” See also Armageddon; Esdraelon. D&C 27. Site of great battle in the latter days. Site of great ancient wickedness. (more photos: Wiki & Bible )
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Bible Photo & Explanation: Though the Jezreel Valley is often thought of as one great valley, it is actually a series of valleys that connects the Plain of Acco with the Jordan Valley and the Sea of Galilee region. The valley of Megiddo, for example, is in the western portion of this valley. The Jezreel Valley was the main route across the Holy Land between the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the Jordan Valley to the east.
Significant Events: The major highway connecting Egypt and Mesopotamia passed through this valley, and many battles were fought here (Judg. 1:22–27; 5:19; 2 Kgs. 23:29–30). The great last conflict in this land begins with the battle of Armageddon, which will be fought shortly before the Second Coming of the Savior; it takes its name from Har Megiddon, or Mountain of Megiddo (Ezek. 38; Joel 3:9–14; Zech. 14:2–5; Rev. 16:14–16). (See BD Jezreel.)
Jezreel Valley BD: Plain of Esdraelon (Josh. 17:16; Judg. 6:33; 2 Sam. 2:9; 4:4; Hosea 1:5, 11; 2:22).
Megiddo BD: On the southwestern side of the plain of Esdraelon, and on the caravan route from Egypt to Damascus. Frequently mentioned in Israelite history. The scene of Sisera’s defeat (Judg. 5:19). Fortified by Solomon (1 Kgs. 9:15). The place where Ahaziah died of his wounds (2 Kgs. 9:27). Also the scene of the tragic defeat and death of King Josiah (23:29–30; 2 Chr. 35:22). In Zech. 12:11 the place is called “the valley of Megiddon.” See also Armageddon; Esdraelon.
Judges 5:19: The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.
1 Kgs 9:15: And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the Lord, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.
2 Kgs 9:27: But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there.
25 And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.
26 ¶ Notwithstanding the Lord turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.
27 And the Lord said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.
28 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
29 ¶ In his days Pharaoh-nechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.
30 And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father’s stead.
22 Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
23 And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.
24 His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
25 ¶ And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.
26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the Lord,
27 And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
Judges 1:27: Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
Armageddon BD: A Greek transliteration from the Hebrew Har Megiddon, or “Mountain of Megiddo.” The valley of Megiddo is in the western portion of the plain of Esdraelon about 75 miles north of Jerusalem. Several times the valley of Megiddo was the scene of violent and crucial battles during Old Testament times (Judg. 5:19; 2 Kgs. 9:27; 23:29). A great and final conflict taking place at the Second Coming of the Lord is called the battle of Armageddon. See Zech. 11–14, especially 12:11; Rev. 16:14–21.
Esdraelon BD: The Greek form of the Hebrew word Jezreel. The “great plain of Esdraelon” is also known in the Old Testament as the “valley of Megiddo”; it separates the hills of Samaria from those of Galilee and is the most fertile part of Palestine. It was crossed by several important highways and for that reason often provided a battleground (Judg. 4; 5; 7; 1 Sam. 31; 2 Chr. 35:20–27; see also Rev. 16:16). See also Armageddon; Megiddo.
Ahaziah BD: King of Judah; joined Jehoram, king of Israel, in his attempt to recover Ramoth-gilead; was wounded in Samaria; and died at Megiddo (2 Kgs. 8:25–29; 9:16–29; 10:13; 12:18; 1 Chr. 3:11; 2 Chr. 22:1–11); called Azariah (2 Chr. 22:6) and Jehoahaz (2 Chr. 21:17).
Josiah BD: King of Judah, 641–610 B.C. (see 2 Kgs. 22–24; 2 Chr. 34–35). While still young, he made, under the guidance of Hilkiah, a thorough religious reformation, which extended to the northern tribes. He restored the temple, destroyed idolatrous images and the high places, put down the idolatrous priests, and celebrated a great Passover (2 Kgs. 23:21–23). During this reformation a book of the law was found by Hilkiah (2 Kgs. 22:8–9; 2 Chr. 34:15–16). It made at once a great impression and led to the centralizing of all sacrificial worship at Jerusalem and the abolition of local idolatrous sanctuaries or high places. Josiah became involved in the war between Assyria and Egypt, and, though Pharaoh Necho disclaimed enmity, Josiah met him in battle at Megiddo and was defeated and slain (2 Chr. 35:20–25; see also 2 Kgs. 23:29–30; Jer. 22:10–12, 18; Zech. 12:11).
Necho BD: King of Egypt who conquered and slew Josiah at Megiddo (2 Kgs. 23:29) but was defeated by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Chr. 35:20, 22; 36:4; Jer. 46:2); called Pharaoh Necho (2 Kgs. 23:29–35; Jer. 46:2).
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.