Keilah , meaning Citadel, was a city in the lowlands of Judah. It is now a ruin, known as Kh. Qeila, near the modern village of Qila, 7 miles (11 km) east of Beit Gubrin, and about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) west of Kharas.
Keilah is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible in the Book of 1 Samuel, in the story of David’s flight from King Saul. David and his men fled to Keilah, which was under attack by the Philistines. The people of Keilah asked David to help them fight the Philistines, and David agreed. David and his men defeated the Philistines, and the people of Keilah were saved.
Keilah is also mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah, as one of the towns that was resettled by the Jewish exiles returning from the Babylonian captivity. Nehemiah further records that those returnees were the very descendants of the people who had formerly resided in the town before their banishment from the country, who had all returned to live in their former places of residence.
The ruins of Keilah have been excavated by a number of archaeologists, including William F. Albright and Yohanan Aharoni. The excavations have revealed the remains of a large city, which was fortified with walls and towers. The city was destroyed in the 6th century BC, during the Babylonian conquest of Judah.
Keilah is a significant site in the history of ancient Israel. It was a city that was important both to David and to the Jewish people after the Babylonian exile. The ruins of Keilah are still visible today, and they provide a glimpse into the history of this important city.
Here are some additional facts about Keilah:
- The name Keilah means “fortress” or “citadel.”
- Keilah was located in the Shephelah, which is the lowland region of Judah.
- Keilah was a strategically important city, as it controlled the main road from the coast to Jerusalem.
- Keilah was destroyed in the 6th century BC, during the Babylonian conquest of Judah.
- The ruins of Keilah are still visible today, and they are a popular tourist destination.