Athach
Athach is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Coastal Plain in modern-day Israel. Known today as Khirbet el Ater. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Athach appears only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Samuel 30:30, as one of the towns to which David sent a portion of the plunder recovered after his decisive defeat of the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag. Following the attack, David pursued the raiders with 600 men, recovered all the captives and goods, and then distributed the spoils not only among his fighting men but also generously among the elders of Judah in cities that had supported him during his years as a fugitive. This act of distribution was both politically astute and personally loyal, cementing relationships with communities across the Negev and Shephelah that had sheltered and aided David. Athach's inclusion in this list places it among a cluster of Judahite towns including Bethel, Ramoth of the Negev, Jattir, Aroer, and others. The episode reveals David's character as a leader who remembered his supporters and honored obligations even in victory. Athach, though otherwise unattested in Scripture, was clearly a recognized settlement in Judah's southern territory, and its elders were regarded by David as worthy allies in the social and political network that would eventually elevate him to the throne of Judah.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Athach is tentatively identified with Khirbet el Ater, a site in the Shephelah region of southern Israel near the Coastal Plain. The identification rests primarily on the similarity of names and the site's geographical proximity to other towns mentioned alongside Athach in 1 Samuel 30. Surface surveys of the area have identified ancient ceramic evidence spanning multiple periods, including Iron Age sherds consistent with the period of David's reign. No systematic excavation specifically targeting Athach has been undertaken. The broader region of the Negev and southern Shephelah has been extensively surveyed by Israeli archaeologists, revealing a network of Iron Age settlements that correspond to the administrative geography implied in the 1 Samuel 30 town list.
Verse Appearances (1)
1Sam
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- OpenBible.info (n.d.) Bible Geocoding. Available at: https://www.openbible.info/geo/. [CC BY 4.0]
- Bagnall, R. et al. (eds.) (n.d.) Pleiades: A Gazetteer of Past Places. Available at: https://pleiades.stoa.org. [CC BY 3.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]