Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(migration). A Philistine city and seaport on the Mediterranean, 10 miles N. of Gaza, Eshkalon (Josh.13:3); Askelon (Judg. 1:18); Ashkelon (Judg. 14:19; 1 Sam. 6:17). Its destruction predicted (Jer. 47:5-7; Amos 1:8; Zech. 9:5; Zeph. 2:7).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
One of the five principal cities of the Philistines. It fell to the lot of Judah, who took Askelon and the coasts thereof (Judg. 1:18), but they did not really subdue it, for it was in the hands of the Philistines when Samson, with the Spirit of the Lord upon him, slew thirty men in the city and took their spoil (Judg. 14:19), and that it remained so we see from 1 Samuel 6:17, and 2 Samuel 1:20. The judgments of God were denounced against this city (Jer. 25:20; Jer. 47:5,7; Amos 1:8; Zech. 9:5); and the remnant of Judah should dwell there (Zeph. 2:4,7).
The city was situated on the sea coast, midway between Gaza and Ashdod: it is now called Askulan or Askalan, 31° 40' N. In modern times the city was held by the Crusaders, and within its walls Richard of England held his court: the walls which this king aided with his own hands to repair may, it is thought, still be traced, and masses of masonry and broken columns of granite still lie about. By the Mahometan geographers it was called the Bride of Syria.
Jackson’s Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names:
the fire of infamy: I shall be weighed