Topical Encyclopedia The term "King's Garden" refers to a specific area mentioned in the Bible, associated with the city of Jerusalem. It is a place of historical and theological significance, often linked to the royal activities and the lush, fertile areas near the city.Biblical References: 1. 2 Kings 25:4 · "Then the city was broken into, and all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden, though the Chaldeans were surrounding the city. They fled by way of the Arabah." 2. Nehemiah 3:15 · "Shallun son of Col-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it, roofed it, and installed its doors, bolts, and bars. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah, near the king’s garden, as far as the stairs that descend from the City of David." 3. Jeremiah 39:4 · "When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled, leaving the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and headed toward the Arabah." Historical Context: The King's Garden is traditionally understood to be located in the Kidron Valley, near the southeastern part of ancient Jerusalem. This area was known for its fertile soil and abundant water supply, making it an ideal location for a royal garden. The proximity to the Pool of Siloam and the Gihon Spring would have provided the necessary irrigation for such a garden. Theological Significance: The King's Garden is often associated with themes of refuge and escape, as seen in the accounts of King Zedekiah's flight during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. The garden's location between the two walls of the city suggests it was a strategic point, possibly used for both leisure and defense. In Nehemiah's time, the rebuilding of the walls near the King's Garden signifies the restoration and renewal of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. This reflects the broader biblical theme of redemption and the re-establishment of God's people in their promised land. Cultural and Symbolic Aspects: Gardens in the ancient Near East were symbols of prosperity, peace, and divine blessing. The King's Garden, being a royal possession, would have been a place of beauty and tranquility, reflecting the king's wealth and the favor of God upon the land. It serves as a reminder of the ideal state of creation, echoing the Garden of Eden, where humanity first experienced unbroken fellowship with God. Archaeological Insights: While the exact location of the King's Garden remains a subject of scholarly debate, archaeological findings in the area around the City of David and the Kidron Valley provide insights into the agricultural practices and urban planning of ancient Jerusalem. Terraces and water channels discovered in this region suggest sophisticated methods of cultivation and water management, consistent with the description of a royal garden. The King's Garden, therefore, stands as a testament to the historical and spiritual heritage of Jerusalem, embodying the intersection of divine providence, royal authority, and the enduring hope of restoration for God's people. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia King's GardenKING'S GARDEN gan-ha-melekh): In Nehemiah 3:15, mention is made of "the pool of Shelah by the king's garden"; in 2 Kings 25:4 Jeremiah 52:7, "All the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden"; see also Jeremiah 39:4. The "king's winepresses" (Zechariah 14:10), which must have been to the extreme South of the city, were clearly in this neighborhood. The references all point to the one situation in Jerusalem where it is possible for gardens to flourish all the year round, namely, the part of the Kidron valley below the Tyropoeon which is watered by the overflow from the Pool of Siloam (see SILOAM). Here the vegetable gardens of the peasants of Siloam present an aspect of green freshness unknown elsewhere in Jerusalem. Library The End The Last Agony King David's Little Boy. 'As Sodom' Esther, the Queen. Queen Esther's Love for Her People The Wrath of God The Song of the Little Baltung. AD 395 Song of Songs of Solomon [Harvard Classics Introduction] Resources Who was Esther in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Mordecai in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Xerxes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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