* the valley.
Dr. Richardson says, that in about twenty minutes, in an
easterly direction, form the cave of St. John, (which is about
two hours or six miles, in a westerly direction, from
Jerusalem,) they came to the valley of Elah; which position
seems to agree with that of Shochoh and Azekah. He describes
it as "a small valley, and the place of the encampment is
pointed out where it narrows into a broad, deep ravine; part
of it was in crop, and part of it was under the plough, which
was drawn by a couple of oxen. A small stream, which had
shrunk almost under its stony bed, passes through it from east
to west, from which we are informed that David chose out five
smooth stones, and hasted and ran to meet the haughty champion
of Gath. A well of water under the bank, with a few olive
trees above, on the north side of the valley, are said to mark
the spot of the shepherd's triumph over his boasting
antagonist. Saul and his men probably occupied the side of
the valley which is nearest to Jerusalem, on which the ground
is higher and more rugged than on the other side."
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