Gezer

Gezer (T. Jezer/Abu Shusheh) is located 20 mi. [32 km.] west northwest of Jerusalem and 15 mi. [24 km.] inland from the Mediterranean Sea. It was an important city that was near the major International Coastal Highway than ran from Egypt to Mesopotamia — via Gaza, Gath, Gezer, and Aphek. This large town, 33 acres [13.5 ha.] in size, was situated at the northern tip of the Shephelah and guarded the major approach road that led into the Hill Country of Israel and Judah — namely the road that ran from Gezer to Lower Beth Horon to Gibeon and on into Jerusalem.

Gezer is mentioned in extra–biblical sources and 15 times in the Old Testament. It was defeated by Joshua (Josh 10:33; 12:12), and allotted to the tribe of Ephraim (Josh 16:3) as well as to the Levites (Josh 21:21). It is also mentioned in the famous Merneptah ("Israel") Stela (1207 B.C.) — "Gezer is laid waste."

It was conquered by an Egyptian king — probably Siamum — and given to Solomon as "dowry" when Pharaoh’s daughter married Solomon. Solomon then fortified the Gezer in order to defend the western approaches to Jerusalem via the Beth Horon—Gibeon Ridge (1 Kings 15:9).