Ziklag (Hebrew: צִקְלַג‎‎) is the Biblical name of a town that was located in the Negev region in the south of what was the Kingdom of Judah.

Identification[link]

The exact location of Ziklag has not been identified with any certainty.

At the end of the 19th century, both Haluza (by Wadi Asluj, south of Beersheba)^[1] and Khirbet Zuheiliqah (located north-west of Beersheba and south-southeast of Gaza city) had been suggested.^[2][3] Ziklag is generally agreed to be a significant corruption of the location's actual name; Haluza was identified as the location on the basis of Ziklag being a corruption of Halusah (slightly clearer in the underlying Hebrew script than in English), meaning fortress; Khirbet Zuheiliqah was identified by Conder and Kitchener as the location on the basis of Ziklag being a corruption of Zahaliku.^[1]

Other proposed identifications for Ziklag are:

• Tel Zayit^[4]
• Tel Sera (Tel esh-Sharia, 31°23′26.06″N 34°40′50.07″E / 31.3905722°N 34.680575°E / 31.3905722; 34.680575).^[5]

In the Bible[link]

The Book of Genesis (Genesis 10:14) refers to Casluhim as the origin of the Philistines. Biblical scholars regard this as an eponym rather than an individual, and it is thought possible that the name is a corruption of Halusah; with the identification of Ziklag as Haluza, this suggests that Ziklag was the original base from which the Philistines captured the remainder of their territory.^[1] It has also been proposed that Ziklag subsequently became the capital of the Cherethites.^[1]

In the lists of cities of the Israelites by tribe given in the Book of Joshua, Ziklag appears both as a town belonging to the Tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:31) and as a town belonging to the Tribe of Simeon (Joshua 19:5). Textual scholars believe that these lists were originally independent administrative documents, not necessarily dating from the same time, and hence reflecting the changing tribal boundaries.^[2] (1 Samuel 30) claims that by the time of David, the town was under the control of Philistines, but subsequently was given by their king - Achish - to David, who at that time was seemingly acting as a vassal of the Philistines. Biblical scholars argue that the town was probably on the eastern fringe of the Philistines' territory, and that it was natural for it to be annexed to Judah when David became king.^[6] Since the compilation of the Book of Joshua is regarded by textual scholars as late, probably being due to the deuteronomist, it is possible that the tribal allocations given within it date from after this annexation rather than before.^[6]

According to 1 Samuel 30, while David was encamped with the Philistine army for an attack on the Kingdom of Israel, Ziklag was raided by Amalekites; the Amalekites burning the town, and capturing its population without killing them (scholars think this capture refers to enslavement). However, none of the archaeological sites which have been proposed to be Ziklag show any evidence of destruction during the era of David.^[7]

In the narrative, when David's men discovered that their families had been captured, they became angry with David, but once David had sought divination from the ephod that Abiathar possessed, he managed to persuade them to join him in a pursuit of the captors, as the divination was favourable. Six hundred men went in pursuit, but a third of them were too exhausted to go further than the HaBesor Stream. They found an abandoned and starving slave, formerly belonging to one of the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag, and having given him fig cake, raisin cake, and water, persuaded him to lead them to the Amalekite raiders. The slave lead them to the camp of the captors, and found the captors holding a feast and celebrating, due to the size of their spoil; David's forces engaged in battle with them for a night and a day, and ultimately became victorious.

Textual scholars ascribe this narrative to the monarchial source of the Books of Samuel; the rival source, known as the republican source (named this due to its negative presentation of David, Saul, and other kings), does not at first glance appear to contain a similar narrative. The same narrative position is occupied in the republican source by the story of Nabal,^[8] who lived in the region south of Hebron (which includes the Negev).^[6] There are some similarities between the narratives, including David leading an army in revenge (for Nabal's unwillingness to give provisions to David), with 400 of the army going ahead and 200 staying behind,^[6] as well as David gaining Abigail as a wife (though in the Ziklag narrative he re-gains her), as well as several provisions, and there being a jovial feast in the enemy camp (i.e. Nabal's property). However, there are also several differences, such as the victory and provisions being obtained by Abigail's peaceful actions rather than a heroic victory by David, the 200 that stayed behind doing so to protect the baggage rather than due to exhaustion, the main secondary character being the wife of the enemy (Nabal) rather than their former slave, David's forces being joined by damsels rather than rejoining their wives, and Nabal rather than the Amalekites being the enemy.

The Books of Samuel go on to mention that as a result, the people taken by the Amalekites were released, and the spoil that the Amalekites had taken, including livestock, and spoil from attacks elsewhere, were divided among David's men, including the third that had remained at the Besor. This ruling, that even those left behind would get a share, is stated by the text to have been a response by David to those who believed only the two thirds of David's men that had battled with the Amalekites should get a reward. A similar ruling is given in the Priestly Code (Numbers 31:27) and in Joshua 22:8. Scholars^[who?] believe that the these rulings are derived from the decision in regard to the Amalekite spoil, rather than vice versa.^[6]

According to the text, once back at Ziklag, David sent portions of the spoil to the various community leaders within Judah; the text gives a list of the locations of the recipients, but they are all just within the Negev.^[6]

References[link]

Bibliography[link]

• Blakely, Jeffrey, "The Location of Medieval/Pre-Modern and Biblical Ziklag," Palestine Exploration Quarterly, 139,1 (2007), 21-26.

Bishop T.D. Michael Jakes
Personal details
Birth name	Thomas Dexter Jakes
Born	(1957-06-09) June 9, 1957 (age 55) South Charleston, West Virginia, U.S.
Nationality	United States
Spouse	Elder Serita Ann Jakes
Occupation	Minister Evangelist Life Coach Author SpeakerActor

Thomas Dexter "T. D." Jakes, Sr. (born June 9, 1957) is the bishop/chief pastor of The Potter's House, a non-denominational American megachurch, with 30,000 members, located in Dallas, Texas.^[1] T. D. Jakes' church services and evangelistic sermons are broadcast on The Potter's Touch, which airs on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, Black Entertainment Television,^[2] the Daystar Television Network, The Word Network and The Miracle Channel in Canada. Other aspects of Jakes' ministry include an annual revival called "MegaFest" that draws more than 100,000 people, an annual women's conference called "Woman Thou Art Loosed", and gospel music recordings.

In the fall of 2009, Jakes planned on launching a secular daily talk show, syndicated through the CBS Television Distribution group; however, economic troubles in the industry may put his new program into jeopardy.^[3]

In 2005 Jakes accompanied President George W. Bush on his visit to the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. In his book Decision Points, President Bush describes Jakes as "a kind of man who puts faith into action."

On January 20, 2009, Jakes led the early morning prayer service for President Barack Obama at St. John's Church in Washington, D.C., according to NBC News.

Early life and history[link]

On June 9, 1957, Thomas Dexter Jakes was born in South Charleston, West Virginia to Ernest Jakes, Sr., a janitor and entrepreneur,^[2] and Odith, an educator. Even as a child, he was known in his West Virginian neighborhood as "the bad Bible boy." He was also told he would never be able to preach because of his "bad" lisp.^[4] Shortly after his father's death from kidney failure, Jakes decided to go into ministry.^[2] In 1979, with very little funds of his own and with only ten initial members, he founded Greater Emmanuel Temple of Faith as a storefront church in Montgomery, West Virginia. Jakes maintained his day job digging ditches in order to support his ministry until the church was able to support him. During its first 10 years, the church grew to over 1,000 members.^[5] In 1982, Jakes turned to full-time ministry.^[2]

By 1990, his church had moved twice, first from Montgomery to the nearby community of Smithers, and from there to his hometown of South Charleston. In 1993, the church moved yet again within the Charleston area, to Cross Lanes; the building having been formerly a bank.^[6]

In 1995, when he was 38 years old, Jakes started his television ministry.^[4] In 1996, Jakes founded The Potter's House in Dallas, Texas, with about 50 families that had relocated with him from his former congregation in Cross Lanes. Jakes purchased the property, which was previously Eagle's Nest Family Church, from W. V. Grant, after Grant was sentenced to 16 months in prison for tax-related crimes.^[7] In its 12 year existence, it has grown to over 30,000 members.^{[citation needed]} Both Jakes and his Potter's House church are unrelated to the Potter's House Christian Fellowship, a Pentecostal denomination founded in Arizona in 1971.

Family and heritage[link]

When he was 24 in 1981, he married Serita Ann Jamison.^[2] They have five children together (Jermaine, Jamar, Cora, Sarah, and Thomas Jakes, Jr.) Jakes is a strong advocate of abstinence and has made appearances on the subject ranging from Good Morning America to Dr. Phil.

On the PBS program African American Lives, Jakes had his DNA analyzed; his Y chromosome showed that he is descended from the Igbo people of Nigeria.^[8][9] According to his family history, it was also suggested that he is descended from them through his grandmother.^[10][11] He is a second cousin once removed of vocalist Will Wheaton and first cousin twice removed of actor James Wheaton.

Christian ministry[link]

Jakes' sermons are broadcast nationally and internationally over television and satellite television. He has written over 30 books, many of which have been featured on the New York Times best-selling list. Jakes is also a songwriter, a playwright, and performer. He founded the Christian record label Dexterity Sounds ^[12] as well as a theater and movie production company.^[13]

Jakes' church, The Potter's House, is active in ministry and outreach both locally and internationally. The Potter's House sends drugs and alcohol counseling to the inner city, volunteers to the elderly, to prostitutes and victims of domestic violence.^[4] Jakes also has a special interest in the continent of Africa, and The Potter's House launched an initiative that brought water wells, medicine, and ministry to thousands of people in and around Nairobi in Kenya.^[13]

Jakes hosted several popular national conferences, including "Woman, Thou Art Loosed," "G Unit: ManPower," and "God's Leading Ladies." Recently, Jakes combined those into a single event called "Megafest." Jakes regularly draws capacity crowds at his conferences and ministry events.^[13]

Awards and accomplishments[link]

Jakes has received numerous honors, including 13 honorary degrees and doctorates. He has also received Grammy and Dove Award nominations for Gospel album "Live at The Potter's House." PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly named Jakes among America's "Top 10 Religious Leaders." Time magazine featured Jakes on the cover of its September 17, 2001 issue with the provocative question: "Is This Man the Next Billy Graham?".^[5]

Writings[link]

• Intimacy With God
• Loved by God
• Can You Stand To Be Blessed?
• Naked And Not Ashamed?
• Loose That Man And Let Him Go
• Loose That Man And Let Him Go Work Book
• Positioning Yourself To Prosper
• Reposition Yourself: Living a Life Without Limits
• He-Motions: Even Strong Men Struggle
• Help! I'm Raising My Children Alone: A Guide for Single Ladies and Those Who Sometimes Feel They Are
• Ten Commandments of Working in a Hostile Environment
• Promises From God For Single Women
• Woman, Thou Art Loosed: Healing the Wounds of the Past
• Woman, Thou Art Loosed Devotional
• The Lady, Her Lover, and Her Lord
• Maximize the Moment : God's Action Plan For Your Life
• So You Call Yourself a Man?: Finally Devotional for Ordinary Men With Extraordinary Potential
• God's Leading Lady
• His Lady
• Jesus Walks (with me)
• Lay Aside the Weight
• Daddy Loves His Girls
• The Greatest Investment
• Mama Made the Difference
• TD Jakes Speaks To Men
• Overcoming the Enemy
• Life Overflowing: Six Pillars for Abundant Living
• Not Easily Broken, 2006
• Before You Do: Making Great Decisions That You Won't Regret, Atria Books, 2008. ISBN 978-1-4165-4728-0
• The Memory Quilt: A Christmas Story for Our Times, 2009
• Let it go: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven , 2012

Filmography[link]

Films[link]

• 2004: Woman Thou Art Loosed — As himself (based on Jakes' novel of the same name)^[14]
• 2009: Not Easily Broken — Allen (based on another Jakes' novel).^[15]
• 2011: Jumping the Broom — Reverend James
• 2010: Munya — Reverend Brian

Further reading[link]

"Biography". Bishop T.D. Jakes. — T.D. Jakes Web site. http://www.tdjakes.com/bishops-bio/. Retrieved 11-24-2011

References[link]

External links[link]

• www.tdjakes.com — official site
• T.D. Jakes at the Internet Movie Database