Explore the Biblical Land of Israel
According to 1 Samuel 17 the battle of David and Goliath happened in the Valley of Elah. Goliath and the Philistines lived on the Coastal Plain, whereas David and the Israelites lived in the Hill Country further inland. Between the two lies a buffer zone called the Shephelah or the “lowland”. This area is characterized by small but steep hills, which is a challenging terrain for a battle.
The Valley of Elah was the ideal setting for this battle because the valley’s sides create a natural “stadium” in which the two fighters could be viewed from above. This is not a wide valley like you might have where you live. It is a dry streambed that directs water from the hills to the sea during the rainy season. This is the reason that David was able to find the smooth stones with which he killed Goliath.
The Bible is full of famous places in the Land of Israel such as the Valley of Elah. The time has come to understand where these places really are. Understanding the geography of the Holy Land is one of the best ways of accessing the Bible’s authentic meaning. If you know where things happened, you will know why they happened. Enroll now in to our newest course Exploring the Biblical Land of Israel and begin your journey today!
