Damascus

Damascus is the capitol Syria, north of Israel. Today, Damascus is the largest city of Syria, with an estimated population of more than 4 million people. The great evangelist, Paul, converted to Christianity when traveling on a road to Damascus.

Damascus is mentioned in old Egyptian documents as a caravan center in southern Syria. During the Old Testament period, its geographical position made it very prosperous from the trade routes.

King David, during his war against the Arameans, captured the city (2 Samuel 8:5-6). Later, it was conquered by Rezon, who cast off Israelite sovereignty during Solomon's reign, and made it the capitol of the Aram-Damascus kingdom (1 Kings 11:23).
It remained the capitol until it was destroyed by the Assyrians in 732 BC. After the Assyrians, Damascus was taken over by the Chaldeans, then the Persians, then the Greeks.

In 64 BC it was captured by the Roman general, Pompey. In the New testament era there was a large Jewish community living in Damascus, as well as a Christian community.

Saul (later known as Paul) was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians when he was blinded by a light from the presence of Jesus. He spent three days in Damascus, blind, until Jesus sent a disciple named Ananias to Saul.

Through Ananias, Jesus restored Saul's sight, and baptized him. Damascus was the city in which Paul began his work as a great evangelist, teaching people in Asia, Africa and Europe about Jesus.

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