Post 6 – This week in #weeklybiblereadingarcheology, Hezekiah’s tunnel under the City of David (Jerusalem), from 2 Kings 20:20. This tunnel redirected the Gihon spring, the only source of fresh water for the city. Formerly, the spring was reached outside the main walls of the city. When Sennacherib’s forces arrived, it would be vulnerable. “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find plenty of water?” (2 Chron 32:4) So they hid it! They blocked up the mouth of the spring and redirected it back into the city through a 533 meter tunnel (1750 ft) carved through solid rock. Protecting their source of water was a prudent measure, but in the end of was not the tunnel that saved the city. If you visit today, know that it is no place for a claustrophobe. The water is very cold (but feels good) and in most places only covers your ankles but at one point is waist deep. Interestingly the tunnel does not follow a straight line but is roughly S shaped. An ancient inscription reveals that the tunnel diggers started at each end and met in the middle (you can still see their pick marks on the walls). Since they did not follow a straight line, how were the two teams able to find each other? There are theories, but it remains a mystery. #biblereadingarcheology #biblereadingarchaeology