Adullam: One of the royal cities of the Canaanites, now 'Aid-el-ma
(Joshua 12:15; 15:35) It stood on the old Roman road in the valley of
Elah (q.v.), 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 Rehoboam fortified against Egypt
(2 Chronicles 11:7) It was called
"the glory of Israel"
(Micah 1:15) The Cave of Adullam has been
discovered about 2 miles south of the scene of David's triumph, and
about 13 miles west 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.
According to tradition this cave was at Wady Khureitun, between
Bethlehem and the Dead Sea, but this view cannot be well maintained.
