Valley of Rephaim
Valley of Rephaim - (Josh. 15:8; 18:16, R.V.). When
David became king over all
Israel, the
Philistines, judging that he would now become their
uncompromising enemy, made a sudden attack upon Hebron,
compelling
David to retire from it. He sought refuge in "the
hold" at
Adullam (2 Sam. 5:17-22), and the
Philistines took up
their position in the valley of
Rephaim, on the west and
south-west of
Jerusalem. Thus all communication between
Bethlehem and
Jerusalem was intercepted. While
David and his
army were encamped here, there occurred that incident narrated
in 2 Sam. 23:15-17. Having obtained divine direction,
David led
his army against the
Philistines, and gained a complete victory
over them. The scene of this victory was afterwards called
Baalperazim (q.v.).
A second time, however, the Philistines rallied their forces
in this valley (2 Sam. 5:22). Again warned by a divine oracle,
David led his army to Gibeon, and attacked the Philistines from
the south, inflicting on them another severe defeat, and chasing
them with great slaughter to Gezer (q.v.). There David kept in
check these enemies of Israel. This valley is now called
el-Bukei'a.
Reference