elah Summary and Overview

terebinth or oak. (1.) Valley of, where the Israelites were encamped when David killed Goliath (1 Sam. 17:2, 19). It was near Shochoh of Judah and Azekah (17:1). It is the modern Wady es-Sunt, i.e., "valley of the acacia." "The terebinths from which the valley of Elah takes its name still cling to their ancient soil. On the west side of the valley, near Shochoh, there is a very large and ancient tree of this kind known as the 'terebinth of Wady Sur,' 55 feet in height, its trunk 17 feet in circumference, and the breadth of its shade no less than 75 feet. It marks the upper end of the Elah valley, and forms a noted object, being one of the largest terebinths in Israel." Geikie's, The Holy Land, etc. (2.) One of the Edomite chiefs or "dukes" of Mount Seir (Gen. 36:41). (3.) The second of the three sons of Caleb, the son of Jephunneh (1 Chr. 4:15). (4.) The son and successor of Baasha, king of Israel (1 Kings 16:8-10). He was killed while drunk by Zimri, one of the captains of his chariots, and was the last king of the line of Baasha. Thus was fullfilled the prophecy of Jehu (6, 7, 11-14). (5.) The father of Hoshea, the last king of Israel (2 Kings 15:30; 17:1).

E'LAH (terebinth). 1. An Edomite chieftain. Gen 36:41; 1 Chr 1:52. 2. The father of one of Solomon's provision officers. 1 Kgs 4:18. 3. The son and successor of Baasha, king of Israel. He reigned 2 years, b.c. 930-928, and was assassinated by Zimri, one of his military officers, while revelling at the house of his steward, Arza, at Tirzah. 1 Kgs 16:6-10. 4. The father of Hoshea, the last king of Israel. 2 Kgs 15:30; 2 Kgs 17:1; 2 Kgs 18:1, 2 Kgs 18:9. 5. A son of Caleb, the son of Jephunneh. 1 Chr 4:15. 6. A Benjamite. 1 Chr 9:8.

1. Baasha's son and successor on the Israelite throne (1 Kings 16:8-10); reigned little more than a year. A beacon to warn drunkards, killed by the captain of half his chariots, Zimri, while "drinking himself drunk" in the house of his steward Arza in Tirzah. Josephus (Ant. 8:12, section 4) says it occurred while his army and officers were absent at the siege of Gibbethon. As Baasha conspired against his master Nadab, so Zimri against Baasha's son; Zimri in his turn was slain by Omri. Thus retributive justice pays transgressors in kind. 2. Father of Hoshea, last king of Israel (2 Kings 15:30; 2 Kings 17:1). 3. Duke of Edom (Genesis 36:41); compare Elath on the Red Sea. 4. Father of Shimei, Solomon's commissariat officer in Benjamin (1 Kings 4:18). 5. Son of Caleb (1 Chronicles 4:15). 6. Uzzi's son, a chief of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 9:8).