Medieval castles were protected by moats, walls, gates and watch towers. If attacking marauders or enemy armies laid siege against the castle, the gates were closed, the drawbridge raised and its residents were relatively safe within the walls. If the walls were breached or the gates rammed and burned, there was one last resort the people had. The Keep. Sometimes called the Tower, its purpose remained the same: a fortified refuge for the people to hole up in until danger passed and/or launch a counterattack.
The Keep, built with thick stone walls and a narrow, protected entrance generally made it the safest place in the castle during attack. Built to withstand a long siege, the Keep had its own well and massive rooms for plenteous food and weapons storage. Multiple floors (depending on the wealth of the lord) and sometimes stables on the ground level made it an efficient and autonomous building.
The Keep was not only used as a place of refuge when defending the castle, but it was also the center building of castle life, often serving as the lord’s residence. The Keep is the heart of any castle, always a-throb with life and activity. Huge banquets and parties were hosted in the Keep. Here is where the lord and his family lived and managed the vast castle estate.
Judges 9:50 relates the story of a town called Thebez which fell under attack to Abimelech’s army. (Abimelech, a disgruntled son of Gideon). Check it out:
‘Abimelech attacked the town of Thebez and captured it. But there was a strong tower inside the town, and all the men and women -the entire population- fled to it. They barricaded themselves in and climbed up to the roof of the tower. Abimelech followed them to attack the tower. But as he prepared to set fire to the entrance, a woman on the roof dropped a millstone that landed on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. He quickly said to his young armor bearer, “Draw your sword and kill me! Don’t let it be said that a woman killed Abimelech!” So the young man ran him through with his sword and Abimelech died. When his men saw that their commander was dead, they disbanded and returned to their homes.’
As we see from this short story, the Keep is a strong, advantageous position from which to launch a counterattack while also providing refuge for its residents.
Proverbs 18:10 states:
The name of the Lord is a Strong Tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10
As believers of Jesus Christ, we also have a Keep that we can run to and be safe! Within this Keep we find security, refuge and a place wherein we can strategize for a counterattack.
The name of the Lord. That is our Keep. Our Strong Tower.
Not only do we run to this Strong Tower in time of distress, but from this place we live, move and order our estate grounds.
The name of the Lord. Our Keep.
May you find the name of the Lord to be your Strong Tower in the coming days, weeks and months.
His name is ‘Faithful and True’ for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war…His title is ‘Word of God’… and on his robe is written: ‘King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Revelations 19:11-16
This name, the name of the Lord, is a Strong Tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.