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Before the Hebrews were fairly settled in southern Palestine the country seems to have been for quite a period under Egyptian lordship. The following letter from the governor, announcing the peril in which the Egyptian garrison in the whole region and especially at Jerusalem has been placed by a general revolt of the natives, possesses not a little interest for Biblical students. The approximate date of the letter seems to be about 1375 B.C.
To the King my Lord: Thus says Ebed-tob, thy servant, who prostrates himself at the feet of my Lord the King seven times seven.
The King is aware of the deed that Malchiel and Suardatum have done. They have marshaled the forces of the city of Gezer against the country of my Lord the King: and with these the hosts of the cities of Gath and of Keilah. They have occupied the territory of the city of Rabbah. The King’s country has gone over to these [hostile] confederates. And even at this moment the city of Jerusalem . . . belonging to the King is placed in hostility to the locality of the men of the city of Keilah [who have revolted].
May the King hearken to Ebed-tob his servant, and may he dispatch troops, and may he restore his country to the royal dominions. But if no troops arrive the King’s country is [surely gone over to the Confederates]. The deed is the deed of Suardatum and Malchiel. . . .
May the King send help to his country!
1 This is a series of books edited by Professor A. H. Sayce and published in London. It should not be confused with the monthly magazine of the same name published in Washington.