Biblical Archaeology: Mass Children’s Grave Discovered

Mass Children’s Grave Discovered at Tel Azekah
April 13, 2026

Archaeologists uncovered a burial site containing the remains of numerous children at Tel Azekah, a strategic site mentioned in 1 Samuel 17 (the David and Goliath narrative).

From Associates for Biblical Research
“Archaeologists from Tel Azekah recently published an article in Palestine Exploration Quarterly in which they report the discovery of a mass grave of children that dates to the Persian era. The skeletal remains of between 68 and 89 children were discovered in a cistern that was dated to the fifth century BC based on the pottery and other small finds recovered nearby.”

Azekah was a fortified city in the Kingdom of Judah, and findings here help reconstruct life in the era of Saul and David.

The discovery may shed light on ancient warfare, disease, or ritual practices in Judah’s Shephelah region.

Watchdog Alert: Pope Leo XIV Is Wrong

In his Palm Sunday homily, Pope Leo XIV explicitly that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war,” quoting Isaiah 1:15: “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.”

The Pope is counting on the biblical illiteracy of Christians when he isolates this verse from Isaiah without regard to its context and uses it as a universal proclamation against all war for all time.

Isaiah chapter one is specifically referring to the idolatrous and exceedingly sinful nation and people of Judah and Jerusalem.

Isaiah 1:4 (KJV) – Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

Of course God heard and answered the prayers of His prophets, kings and others during their wars and delivered victory into their hands. Just read the Bible.

Moses & Joshua — Israel defeated Amalek when Moses interceded (Exodus 17).

Joshua at Jericho — Victory came and God commanded the battle (Joshua 6).

David — Before fighting the Philistines, David repeatedly asked, “Shall I go up?” and God answered (2 Samuel 5:19).

Jehoshaphat — God delivered Judah miraculously when they prayed and worshiped (2 Chronicles 20).

The Pope is wrong. The Bible is clear.