ELAH VALLEY

THE ELAH VALLEY gets its name from the terebinth tree. This tree can still be found in the Elah Valley. These trees have a root system that is extensive and they can grow very large. The valley itself is one of the five major valleys running east to west through the foothills between the coastal plain and the hill country of Judah. The Elah Valey begins just to the east of Gath and ends at a ridge that leads to Bethlehem. Socoh and Azekah were the principal towns during the biblical period.

One of my favorite stories as a child was the story of David and Goliath. This story took place in the Elah Valley.

The streambed where David paused to pick up his five smooth stones still cuts through the Elah Valley.

I found my friend in the streambed, picking out his stones.