City of David

The day before we left Israel for home, we visited the City of David, a large archeological dig site south of the old city.  

Tombs of Abshalom and Jehosophat.  Notice the Jewish funeral going on in the cemetery up on top.  All of the concrete boxes around the mourners and at the bottom of the picture are graves.

We met Ismael, the man in charge of the excavation project, who took us inside a tunnel where steps had been uncovered leading to the southern gate and the Temple Mount.  He spoke with excitement and conviction as he bore witness that Christ had surely walked these very steps many times, steps that had only in recent years been uncovered and brought to light.  

Our group with Ismael

Steps at the Pool of Shiloah (Siloam)

Mural of what the pool and steps would have looked like anciently

We had the opportunity to walk through tunnels leading from the hill to the valley floor and back.  It was an amazing experience for all of us.

 Heading into Hezekiah's Tunnel

Where the wet part of the tunnel began; Matt & Doug took this route while we took the dry one.

 The return tunnel

Ismael seemed genuinely happy to learn that we were Mormons.  The Church had helped him with his children’s education when times were difficult.  It was obvious that seeds had been planted and that it was no coincidence that we “ran into him” at the right time and place.  He also showed us many coins which they had found in the excavations and explained them to us.  Some of our group purchased some of them for teaching purposes.  

It was interesting to me to see a “mite” as talked about by the Savior in the story of the widow’s mite.

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.   (Mark 12:41-44)