1 Samuel 17 When the Philistines prepared for battle near the strategically located Valley of Elah, the Israelites assembled on the other side of the valley to face them. After the Philistines’ champion Goliath had challenged the Israelites for forty days to select a champion to fight him, young David, who had already been anointed […]
Category Archives: Old Testament
David Flees from Saul
(Numbered events in narrative correspond to numbered events on maps.) 1) After David defeated Goliath and came to serve Saul at the royal court in Gibeah, he continued to demonstrate himself as an able commander and grew in favor with the people, and he developed a deep friendship with Saul’s son Jonathan. At the same […]
The Conquest of Canaan: The Northern Campaign
Joshua 11 After the Israelites captured several cities in southern Canaan, King Jabin of Hazor called on several kings in northern Canaan to fight against the Israelites. The Israelites advanced from southern Canaan and defeated the Canaanites in battle at the waters of Merom. After pursuing the Canaanites to the Valley of Mizpeh, the Israelites […]
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah
1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10 After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam succeeded him as king, and he traveled to Shechem for the coronation ceremony before all the tribes. Jeroboam, who had been an enemy of Solomon and fled to Egypt, came to Shechem as well. Before the ceremony, Jeroboam and many other Israelites demanded […]
The Battle at Mount Gilboa
1 Samuel 28-31; 1 Chronicles 10 After the Philistines mustered their forces at Aphek and advanced to Shunem in the Jezreel Valley, the Israelites assembled their forces nearby at Jezreel. During the battle, the Israelites began to retreat up the slopes of Mount Gilboa. There Saul and his sons were killed, and the Philistines took […]