VALLEY OF ELAH

The Valley of Elah is located between Bethlehem and the Mediterranean Sea near the ancient towns of Libnah and Azekah. This was the route that the Philistines and others used to get into Central Palestine in ancient times. It was therefore a strategic location. It is most famous, because it is the site where David killed Goliath the giant as recorded in I Samuel 17. One can still visit the stream bed where David picked up the five smooth stones to use in his sling to slay Goliath. Although the stream is dried up most of the time, it is a good place to dramatize this famous event of almost 3,000 years ago.