What is…
Adullam
Hebrew: עֲדֻלָּם —transliteration: Adullam —meaning: (unknown) —occurrences: 8 (Joshua 12:15; Joshua 15:35; 1 Samuel 22:1; 2 Samuel 23:13; 1 Chronicles 11:15; 2 Chronicles 11:7; Nehemiah 11:30; Micah 1:15)
also known as: Adulam and 'Aid-el-ma
Adullam was one of the royal cities of the Canaanites, later named 'Aid-el-ma (Joshua 12:15; 15:35).
It stood on the old Roman road in the valley of Elah, which was the scene of David’s memorable victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17:2), and not far from Gath.
It was one of the towns which King Rehoboam fortified against Egyptian invasion (2 Chronicles 11:7). It was called “the glory of Israel” (Micah 1:15).
Cave of Adullam
The Cave of Adullam has been discovered about 2 miles south of the scene of David’s triumph, and about 13 miles west-southwest from Bethlehem.
At this place is a hill some 500 feet high pierced with numerous caverns, in one of which David gathered together “every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented” (1 Samuel 22:2). Some of these caverns are large enough to hold 200 or 300 men.
More information
- What are Adullamites?
- Who and what is Canaan?
- What are Canaanites?
- What is Elah?
- Caves in the Bible
- What are the cities of the Bible? Names, descriptions, locations and types
- Places of the Bible
- About the kings in the Bible