You can see its location on the accompanying map. It virtually overlooked two principal roads. The Carmel Mountains blocked the N​—S route between Egypt in the south and Damascus or other cities toward the Euphrates in the north. So armies and trading caravans were forced through a low pass beside Megiddo, the pass on the right side of the photograph. The N​—S road through it intersected in the Jezreel Valley with the important route between Tyre and the Jordan Valley, or Samaria and Jerusalem. Sitting astride these routes, Megiddo could virtually dominate those passing by, and the valley in front of Megiddo became a place of decisive battles.

For example, it was here that Judge Barak defeated Canaanites under army chief Sisera, who had 900 iron-scythed war chariots. (Judges 4:1-3, 12-16; 5:19) Later, Pharaoh Necho led a powerful Egyptian force of soldiers and chariots up the coastal route (hence its name, Via Maris, or Way of the Sea) to reinforce the Assyrians near the Euphrates. For some reason, Judean king Josiah decided on an international confrontation with Necho. But where? Though it was some 55 miles [90 km] north of Jerusalem, Josiah chose the plain near Megiddo.​—2 Chronicles 35:20-22; Jeremiah 46:2.

He knew that the Egyptians had to pass there, and he may have felt that he would have the advantage, since he would be close to an Israelite stronghold.

[Map on page 17]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Great Sea

To Damascus

To Tyre

Sea of Galilee

Acco

Caramel Range

Megiddo

Via Maris

Joppa

To Egypt

Beth-Shean

Dothan

Samaria

Shechem

To Jerusalem

Jordan River

Mi 0 10

Km 0 10 20

[Credit Line]

Based on a map copyrighted by Pictorial Archive (Near Eastern History) Est. and Survey of Israel