369. Towers

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 11
Listen from:
• BibleTruthPublishers.com
The duties of shepherds often led them into wild districts where their lives wore in danger from wandering brigands. Hence it became necessary to erect towers into which they might retire for safety from the attacks of large forces, and from which they could drive off the marauders. The reason assigned for building the towers by Uzziah is the same as that given for digging the wells: “for he had much cattle.” See also 2 Chronicles 27:44Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers. (2 Chronicles 27:4). A beautiful figurative use is made of this custom in Psalm 61:33For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. (Psalm 61:3) and in Proverbs 18:1010The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10). Towers were also built in vineyards. See note on Matthew 21:3333Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: (Matthew 21:33) (#690).