ii. 1 Samuel 13:814: Now he waited seven days, according to the appointed time set by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattering from him.

The battle is also detailed in Josephuss Antiquities 6:6. A knowledge of this geography is necessary in order to understand the Battle of Michmash as recorded in 1 Samuel 13 and 14. fol. Joshua 4:19: Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho. The ceramic vessels found in the structure were dated to the end of the Iron Age. Tel Gilgal was a central gathering place for the Israelites. 1.

Saul continued harassing the routed Philistines, and Josephus describes his forces promptly sacking the Philistine camp, supposedly committing several heretical acts with Saul's approval, including Saul inaugurating a large stone as an illicit altar in the midst of the camp for sacrifices.

If HolyLandSite.com is helpful to you, and you would like to support our work, we would be deeply grateful. The Israelites won the battle although they were greatly outnumbered and inferior in arms. Picture Study Bible - StudyBible with Pictures and Maps. Ayelet, age 28 and mother of 3, was the daughter of the Itshak Levy, the leader of the religious party Mafdal.

Its only real claim to fame is in the battle that was fought there by Saul and Jonathan against the Philistines (1 Sam 13:1-14:35). 7. Its remains are located near one of the synagogues of the community, on the top of a hill at 610m above sea level. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. The Philistines did not pursue, but waited at the Pass of Michmash which was easily defended.

This threw the whole Philistine army into panic and they raced westward to escape. vi. Machmas) 9 Roman miles from Jerusalem. 13:6 The men of Israel . Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of My house! Biblical Michmash is the modern Arab town of Mukhmas. 13:22 The phrase only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons paints a dismal picture of Israels situation. South of the town less than a m. is the narrow canyon of the Wadi Suwenet which joins the Wadi Qelt and empties into the Jordan near Jericho.

The majority of the shaft tombs are located on the eastern side of the observation hill. The people were then summoned to Saul at Gilgal.

5. 13:1 Ancient manuscripts differ on exactly how many years Saul reigned. 13:17-18 Raiding parties secured the access roads to Michmash. Only King Saul and his son Jonathan were said to have carried a spear and a bronze straight sword between them, though it is also possible that Jonathan was armed with a bow and quiver of arrows as well. Ezra records that 122 men of Michmash returned from exile (Ezra 2:27, cf. 90. Gilgal was the place from which Caleb, one of the two faithful spies Moses sent to spy out the Promised Land, asked Joshua for his portion of the land. 13:20-21 The Philistines also controlled the maintenance of the Israelites farming tools and charged the people high prices for the service. Rosalin Yalo St, Rishon LeTsiyon, Israel and Ma'ale Michmash, Gilgal, Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire DY13 9AJ, UK and Giv'on St, Ganei Tikva, Israel, Gilgal St, Kokhav Ya'ir Tzur Yigal, Israel and Yerikho St, Tel Aviv Yafo, Israel, Mevo Gilgal, Kiryat Gat, Israel and Yitskhak Katsenelson St 8, Jerusalem, Israel, Gilgal, Stourport on Severn, Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire DY13, UK and Gibeon Street, Jerusalem, Israel, Gilgal, Stourport on Severn, Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire DY13, UK and Mount Carmel, HaCarmel, Gilgal, Stourport on Severn, Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire DY13, UK and Tall al Ful, Jerusalem, Collon, Ireland and River Boyne, Oldbridge, Meath, Ireland, Colorado Springs, CO, United States and Costa Rica, Matjiesfontein, Western Cape, South Africa and murraysburg, Western Cape, South Africa. The tombs were resting places for single persons or used by the family who owned it. This map shows the area of Michmash, 11km north east of the old city of Jerusalem. Josephus however claims that Saul had only an effective combat force of 600 upon his encampment in Gibeah, citing mass desertion as a cause.

Jonathan took his armor-bearer, made his way across the pass, and scaled the precipitous N wall in front of Michmash. Each hamashhith was composed of a chariot carrying 2 men, a charioteer and an archer with javelins, bows, and arrows, and three squads of infantry runners, 4-men each. 10. The distance is 71 English or 8 Roman miles in a line.. Click on the photos to view in higher resolution. Only about two miles separated Sauls forces from the Philistines .

The eastern side of the structure is below.

The phrase the Lord has appointed him as ruler indicates how from Gods perspective, his work was already moving ahead and was as good as done, even though David would not become king for several years. The tombs are dated to the Intermediate Bronze period (2200-2000 BC). There are foundations of old buildings, large stones, and a vaulted cistern.W. All Israel heard the news that Saul had smitten the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become odious to the Philistines.

13:4 More troops joined the king at Gilgal (see notes at 7:16 and 10:8) to ready themselves for a Philistine counter offensive. All the geographical details of the battle fit, and the modern but insignificant town bears such a similar name (Mukhmas) that there can be no doubt. "[6] The two single-handedly climbed the ramparts and attacked the garrison "within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plough." 2. Antiq. New International Version (NIV).

Saul and Jonathan with 600 men held Geba, which had been taken from the Philistine garrison (1 Samuel 13:16). 3. There are rock-cut tombs to the North. The map shows that strategic roads passed through Michmash, connecting the mountain area of Judea down to Jericho. Unlike Joshua, who failed to pray and seek the Lord regarding the trickery of the Gibeonites, we should bring our cares and decisions to the Lord. In the area around the Jewish community of Maale Michmash, and the Arab village of Michmas, are several ancient sites dated to the Bronze and Iron age. They calculated that the Philistines would be content with the territory west of the Jordan River. 4. Tel Gilgal was a central gathering place for the Israelites. Like Caleb, who was faithful in trusting God, we should emulate his faith and strength. However, the Lords favor did not come through sacrifice but through faithfulness, a fact Samuel would later drive home to Saul (15:22). A town and a pass c. six m. SE of Bethel. 2. The land is rough and hilly and the pass or canyon leading SE fits the description in the Bible, as well as that in Jos. According to Bunting (z), Gibeah, where Jonathan was stationed, was eight miles from Michmash: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent; to their own houses; or, as the Targum, to their cities; these were they that came at his summons, and were numbered at Bezek, and went with him to the relief of Jabeshgilead, and had been with him ever since, and now dismissed. The photo below shows a section of the rocky surface where the tombs are located, and in the background is the northern section of Maale Michmash. God pronounced judgment upon Israel at Tel Gilgal because of their disobedience to Him. According to the Hebrew Bible, the Battle of Michmash (alternate spelling, Michmas) was fought between Israelites under Jonathan, son of King Saul and a force of Philistines at Michmash, a town east of Bethel and south of Migron. It first appears as occupied by Saul with 2,000 men, when Jonathan, advancing from Gibeah, smote the Philistine garrison in Geba (1 Samuel 13:2).

The remains are located in an open public area, on the northern side of the synagogue. Verse 31 indicates that there were Philistine casualties all the way from Michmash to Aijalon. The steps could also have been part of a ritual altar (bamah), as found in other fortress in Iron Age Judea (Horvat Uza and Horvat Radum). 10 As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him and to greet him. In light of the armys larger size mentioned earlier (11:8), the three thousand men from Israel may have represented an elite fighting force to protect the king and local interests.

Adrichomius (u) says it is now called Byra, and Mr. Maundrell (w) observes that it is supposed by some to be the same with Beer, whither Jotham fled after he had delivered his parable, Judges 9:21. Near the entrance is a staircase, which could have led to the second level of the structure. The following photos show a sample of the many shaft tombs found on the eastern side of the tower: Another set of MB/IB shaft tombs are located on the eastern side of the central water tank, in the northern side of Maale Michmash. G. (z) Ut supra, (Travels of the Patriarchs, &c.) p. 127. 9 So Saul said, Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. While descending from the hill, hundreds of black insects were observed crawling along the road. Each place is uniquely shaped like a human right footprint. The following photo is a view from the south western corner. It was at Gilgal that the Gibeonites tricked the Israelites into making a covenant with them so they wouldnt be destroyed.

* Tower hill It was while the armies lay thus facing each other across the gorge that Jonathan and his armor-bearer performed their intrepid feat (1 Samuel 14:1).See BOZEZ; SENEH.It will be noted that the Philistines brought their chariots to Michmash (1 Samuel 13:5). No excavation of Michmash has been made, but there is no question about the location of the site. Saul chose. The square fortress (8.5m x 9.0m) walls are made of 0.8m wide hewn stones, with a plan type of a three-room house. If Zertals claims are true, then its possible Tel Gilgal (located at modern Gilgal) was the more permanent Gilgal that is referred to 35 times in Scripture, and the place on the eastern edge of Jericho was a temporary place where the Israelites camped. of 6. A line of three monolith columns, 1m high, separate the western and eastern rooms. 19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho. Joshua 9:36: When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, 4 they also acted craftily and set out as envoys, and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins worn-out and torn and mended, 5 and worn-out and patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and had become crumbled.

[3], The Philistines divided their force into three companies, seizing key points on the road network in the surrounding countryside, while Saul occupied a nearby hill, observing the Philistine activities but not engaging them.

13:13 Foolish is a word that also would describe later kings who failed to put their trust in the Lord (2Sm 24:10; 2Ch 16:9). Proud member

Heel part of the footprint shape of Tel Gilgal. 13:9 Saul offered the burnt offering himselfa task Samuel should have done as Israels priest. Jerom (t) says, in his time it was shown a large village on the borders of Aella, or Jerusalem, retaining its ancient name, nine miles distant from it, near the village Rama. (s) Travels of the Patriarchs, &c. p. 126. Toe part of the footprint shape of Tel Gilgal. Saul had been camped at Michmash with 2000 soldiers while his son Jonathan was at Gibeah (perhaps one should read Geba here) with another 1000. The chambers are entered via narrow openings, which are sealed by large blocking stones. A large Necropolis, with dozens of rock-cut shaft tombs, was discovered on two hills around the community (the observation post hill and the water tower hill ).

89. Michmash was the seat of government under Jonathan Maccabeus (1 Maccabees 9:73).The modern village is stone-built.

According to an Assyrian stele found in the ruins of the royal palace of Nineveh, Sennacherib conquered 46 cities in Judea. fol. ((y) Ut supra, (De loc Heb.) Camp Gilgal is the first place the Israelites camped after crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land. 13:23 Controlling the pass at Michmash cut off Israels advance northward toward that city.

Biblical Archaeology - Significant Discoveries from Ancient Empires. . Bethel itself was situated upon very high ground; and the ruins of Beitin are completely surrounded by heights (Rob. It will assist in making clear the narrative if, at this point, the natural features of the place are described.Michmash is represented by the modern Mukhmas, about 7 miles North of Jerusalem. There are foundations and remains of former buildings in the village ; on the south a steep slope leads clown to the great valley, Wady Suweinit. Based on a comparison of these manuscripts and Ac 13:21, where Paul gives the round number of forty years, forty-two years seems the most likely. In this intrusion (587) most of the cities were leveled, including the fortress in Maale Michmash. * Shaft tombs He joined other states in the area who attempted to free themselves from the Assyrian conquest.

The Philistines controlled the high grounda clear military advantage. The Border Road between Michmash and Jericho and Excavations at Horvat Shilhah. Israel Overview Tour of All Biblical Sites, Chapel of the Ascension: Ascension & Return of Christ, Garden of Gethsemane: Church of All Nations, House of Caiaphas: Peter's Denial of Christ, Pater Noster Church: Lord's Prayer, Olivet Discourse, Prophecy, Proof the Bible Is True: Mount of Olives, Jordan River: Crossing into the Promised Land, Jordan River Baptismal Site of Jesus (Qsar al-Yahud), HolyLandSite.com is aMinistry Affiliated withGo Missions to Mexico, San Quintn, Baja California, Mexico (Mexico Address), Phones: 541 603 0881 (U.S.A.) 011 52 616 166 2827 (Mexico).

Saul posted himself at Michmash and on the mount of Bethel with his two thousand men. * Cistern The cistern stored water for the soldiers who stationed the fortress. 4. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. 20 Those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. Copyright 2022, Bible Study Tools. Old Testament Overview - General survey of the Old Testament. 1. At Camp Gilgal, Joshua erected 12 stones taken from the Jordan River as a monument of remembrance.

1 Samuel 13:23 The garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash. Anticipating the coming Assyrian intrusion, Hezekiah fortified Jerusalem and the major cities. Michmash apparently was not a large enough town to warrant mention in the list of Benjamite cities. They are said to have killed twenty men together in that single ambush. According to Josephus, Saul himself initially retained 2,000 of these as his guard in Bethel while providing Jonathan with 1,000 which he used to occupy Gibeah from Philistine rule.

6 They went to Joshua to the camp at. The one thousand he placed under the command of his son Jonathan, and stationed them in the neighbourhood of his old home, where he would have the benefit of the aid of his family and kinsfolk. On page 149 is a review of the archaeological findings : On page 11 and 113 are reviews of other ancient sites around Michmash that are listed on their map: Maale Michmash (Hebrew for Michmash Ascent) is a communal settlement (established 1981) in Benjamin region, north east of Jerusalem, situated along the southern section of the Allon road (Hwy #458), near the Biblical city of Michmash. ii. [3] During the confusion and chaos, a detachment of Israelite warriors, which had previously been fighting alongside the Philistines, defected over to the army of King Saul, bringing the king's force from six hundred men to several thousand strong. The Tabernacle of Ancient Israel - Brief Overview of the Tabernacle of Moses in the Wilderness and the Ark of the Covenant. Saul is then said to have delayed his offensive for seven days awaiting the prophet Samuel, only to have a dispute with Samuel concerning sacrificial offerings before the prophet left again. Driving distance between Gilgal and Ma'ale Michmash is calculated by google maps and it is 99 mi. It was established in 1998 and part of the Mateh Binjyamin regional council. 5 But do not resort to Bethel and do not come to Gilgal, nor cross over to Beersheba; for Gilgal will certainly go into captivity and Bethel will come to trouble.. 6 They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, We have come from a far country; now, therefore, make a covenant with us., 5. It was at Gilgal that the Gibeonites tricked the Israelites into making a covenant with them so they wouldnt be destroyed. v. 2) remained with the king. The Babylonian empire rose after the fall of the Assyrians (610 BC), defeated the Egyptians (609 BC) and conquered the land until the Nile (2 Kings 24 7): for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt. Inside the excavations revealed a dipper juglet and a perfume juglet. Lastly, we should not be like the Israelites, who slowly turned away from the Lord and were disciplined by God.

The Incredible Bible - First in the BKA Series.

Joshua 4:19, places Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho: Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho. A review of several sites is listed in Volume 3 Sheet XVII, including (p.12): Mikhmas A small stone village on the slope of a ridge. It was then that Saul and his men joined in the chase and the Lord delivered Israel that day; and the battle passed beyond Beth-aven (14:23). 13:8 Samuel had told Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal, at which time he would come and provide further instructions (10:8). 13:3 The presence of a Philistine garrison .

God pronounced judgment upon Israel at Tel Gilgal because of their disobedience to Him.

When they retaliated by rushing on Michmash, Saul fled eastward to Gilgal and his men scatteredsome even across the Jordan. 3. 3. A large number of Intermediate Bronze age burial shafts were found on the western and eastern side of Maale Michmash. The shaft leads down into a lower section, where burial chambers are cut on the side. The houses are poor and scattered. 1 Samuel 13:5: And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel and they came up, and pitched in Michmash. A total of 7-8 opening are located here. It has a well to the east, and some scattered figs to the west.

A Harmony of the Life of Jesus - Four gospel accounts in harmony. Michmash produced excellent barley. Camp Gilgal was the first place the Israelites celebrated the Passover after entering the Promised Land. (s. v. Machmas), was only nine Roman miles to the north of Jerusalem, whereas it took Robinson three hours and a half to go from one to the other (Pal. The map provides some suggestions to the Biblical places, but not all of them are fully identified. Steinhardt Museum of Natural History,Israel National Center for Biodiversity Studies, Tel Aviv University) identified it as a Millipede, probably Archispirostreptus Syriacus. A great battle between Philistines and the Israelite army, headed by King Saul, occurred in ~1050 BC near Michmash. The place is described by Josephus as "upon a precipice with three peaks, ending in a small, but sharp and long extremity, while there was a rock that surrounded them like bulwarks to prevent the attack of the enemy" (Ant., VI, vi, 2). Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel. First Century Israel Map - .

In his ideal picture of the Assyrian advance on Jerusalem, Isaiah makes the invader lay up his baggage at Michmash so that he might go lightly through the pass (Isaiah 10:28). The people were very faint; Nehemiah 11:31 The children of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, and at Bethel and its towns. You Can Share a Gift & a Bible With a Fatherless Boy, only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons, Inspirational Bible Verses and Scripture Quotes, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It then was rebuilt by the returnees, lead by Zerubbabel, during the Persian period (Ezra 2:1-2, 27 and also Nehemiah 11: 6-7, 31): Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. Antiq. 8. mik'-mash (mikhmash; Machmas): A town in the territory of Benjamin, apparently not of sufficient importance to secure mention in the list of cities given in Joshua 18:21;. Whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash.Michmash was a position strongly situated at the head of a pass some nine miles north-east of Jerusalem. 13:16 On Geba of Benjamin, see note at v. 3.

If average speed of your car will be standard for this route between Gilgal and Ma'ale Michmash and road conditions will be as usual, time that you will need to arrive to Ma'ale Michmash will be 1 hour. In modern excavations the archaeologists identified an Israeli fort in Khirbet Dawarah south east of Michmash along the road to Jericho (Finkelstein, 1988), and traces of an Israelite period road from Geba to Michmash along 1.5km (Yoel Elizur, 1985). In the very far background is Jerusalem, while on the hill on the right is the observation tower hill. * Iron age fortress Links. (t) De loc Heb. Cisterns supply the water. An observation tower is located on its summit, at an altitude of 624m. After the death of the Assyrian King Sargon II (722 - 705BC), King Hezekiah son of Ahaz (reigned 715-686 BC) mutinied against the Assyrians.

Jonathan silently approached the Philistine garrison with his armour-bearer, not telling his father of the act, and passed two rocky crags: "there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez and the name of the other Seneh. Jerusalem continued to pay heavy taxes to the Assyrian conquerors, but fell 114 years later to the Babylonians. PayPal does not require you to create a PayPal account to use your credit card. in Geba less than three miles from Gibeah posed a significant threat to Israels heartland and to Sauls kingdom.

Conder confirms this description, speaking of it as "a high hill bounded by the precipices of Wady es-Suweinit on the South, rising in three flat but narrow mounds, and communicating with the hill of Mukhmas, which is much lower, by a long and narrow ridge." XIII. 16 He used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places.

Tel Gilgal became a central meeting place throughout the rest of the Old Testament and appears to have been a small city. All rights reserved. The battle of Michmash Larry Wood, 2002; with map. Whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash. pp. 1 Samuel 13:5 The Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude: and they came up, and encamped in Michmash, eastward of Beth Aven. Joshua 5:10: While the sons of Israel camped at Gilgal, they observed the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month on the desert plains of Jericho. At Michmash he stores his baggage. [3] Jonathan is recalled to have found a secret path around the Philistines, allowing him to flank them and defeat them,[5] while Josephus claims he and his armour-bearer were goaded by the Philistines to do so while scouting the Philistine camp.[3]. On this corner is a semicircular wall (marked as W-43) which may have been a silo. 21 He said to the sons of Israel, When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What are these stones? 22 then you shall inform your children, saying, Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground. 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever..

To the SW of Michmash is Geba, situated on another hill. On the other hand they were not eager to risk an encounter with the badly armed Israelites in a position where superior numbers would be of little advantage. 8.

At Camp Gilgal, Joshua erected 12 stones taken from the Jordan River as a monument of remembrance.

A twin fortress was found in Khirbet Shilhin, 5 km south east, located on the side of the southern road from Michmash to Jericho. [8] No account in the Bible tells us how many Philistines fell in the battle, though Josephus numbers the total Philistine casualties to as many as 60,000.

The illustration below shows the cross section of a typical burial complex. Bibliography E. Kraeling, Bible Atlas (1956), 180-182.

King Sauls reign over Israel came to an end at Tel Gilgal because of his disobedience. The Ophrah road ran northwest of Michmash. The remainder of the camp awoke with confusion, and "melted away and they went on beating down one another",[7] with fighting erupting among their multiethnic contingents believing there to be a greater number of Israelites.

Oz Rittner (of the. Large Map of the Roman Empire in the Early First Century - Click around on the Places. [1], According to the Bible, Saul's army consisted entirely of infantry, about 3,000 soldiers and militia men. Two communities are located north of the Michmash stream: the Arab village of Michmas and the Jewish community of Maale Michmash. The place of Tel Gilgal (modern-day Gilgal) doesnt seem to fit the qualifications found in Joshua 4:19. (w) Journey from Aleppo, p. 64.

9.

The area around the site was examined in the Palestine Exploration Foundation (PEF) survey (1866-1877) by Wilson, Conder and Kitchener. Michmash lay about four and one-half miles northeast of Gibeah of Benjamin, Sauls hometown and new capital. In the space between the columns are smaller stones.

Perhaps to facilitate mobility, the heavy non-combat equipment was stored some distance from the Assyrians objective. Sauls departure from Michmash (vv. 12 Stone Monument (it appears it was moved from Camp Gilgal to Tel Gilgal as a permanent monument at a later date). 8 Nevertheless, my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the Lord my God fully. 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God fully.. 1. MICHMASH mk msh ( or in Ezra 2:27 and Neh 7:31, LXX B , LXX A , but in 1 Esd 5:21, meaning unknown). Center part of the footprint shape of Tel Gilgal.

Bronze and Iron age findings in the area between Maale Michmash and Michmas. According to the Mishna, "to bring barley to Michmash" was equivalent to our English "to carry coal to Newcastle." For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel, Seek Me that you may live. 9.

This is the first mention of the gallant and chivalrous prince, the story of whose unbroken and romantic friendship with David is one of the most touching episodes of these books. Past the rear gate of Maale Michmash, on the northern foothills of the observation hill and on the side of the road, is a an ancient cistern. Add in the charioteers and archers mounted in the chariots and the 6,000 horsemen, the Philistines mustered a total of 48,000 soldiers against the Israelites. To the South of the gorge is Geba, which had been occupied by the Philistines, doubtless to command the pass. Jonathan was one of Sauls sons who would befriend David and become significant later in the narrative (18:1-3; 19:1-3; 20:1-42; 23:16-18). This battle is one of the most detailed in the Bible, covering two chapters.

Average amount of gas with an average car when travelling from Gilgal to Ma'ale Michmash will be 7 gallons gallons which costs 10 $. 13:14 Gods purposes would continue for Israel despite Sauls failures because the Lord had found a man after his own heart.

The people were then summoned to Saul at. Its homogeneous composition implies that the fortress was used within a short period, and used until the destruction of the Judean Kingdom.

In the lower part is the valley of the Michmash stream (Wady es Suweinit) which later joins to Nahal Prat (Wady Qelt). Etymology It was reinforced with a modern cement ring and metal cover. From the tower are great views of the area around Michmash. p. 126; and v. Raumer, Pal. 12. Tel Gilgal is situated in the Jordan Valley plain at the place of the modern city of Gilgal, which is located about 8 miles (12 km.)