Tel Dan

Some restoration has been done at Tel Dan. Walls rebuilt, I suppose. But it is a tel, built upon ruins of other cities.

The City of Dan was the northernmost city in the kingdom of Israel, which was the northern kingdom anyway. Dan was one of the 12 tribes, remember. In 1 Kings 11 (and other chapters) we can read about Jeroboam, who led the revolt against Judah and the family of David, achieving separation of the kingdoms. Ten tribes in the north, two in the south.

And Jeroboam became king of the northern kingdom. Duh.

But Jeroboam wasn't a true follower of Jehovah, although the golden calves he built for the people to worship--one in Dan--were, he said, representations of Jehovah. He also started worship of wooden images. (Like a log could bring salvation.)

I have a few pictures of Tel Dan, most at the restored city gate, a place of much socialization and city business. The governor of the city would sit on a throne at the gate and see people, conduct business, hear complaints, etc.

Walls at Tel Dan. And a guy I didn't really want in the picture.

A sculpted mural depicting typical activities at the city gate.

The throne at the gate.

And there she is.

From a hill in Dan, I looked across at Lebanon. Things are close over there, nothing like driving all day just to cross Montana or Texas.

Lebanon

Coming down from Tel Dan, Ann helped her mother down the cobblestones. It's just because I wore the wrong shoes.

Thanks to Kathy for this picture, although there is only one thing I like less than a picture of me from behind. Right. It's a picture of me from in front.