Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/175

159 THE PLAIN OF BEISAN. 159

separation of the site from the River Kishon, and the town of T'anak, there is the account of the flight from Jezreel, of Ahaziah, King of Judah (2 Kings ix, 27), which it seems impossible to reconcile with such a position for Megiddo. Ahaziah fled by way of the garden house (Beth-hag-Gan or Bethgan), which Dr. Grove, Mons. Guerin, Dr. Tristram, and Dr. Stanley, identify with Engannim, the modern Jenin. Dr. Stanley observes that " the garden-like character of the spot is still preserved."* The king was smitten at Maaleh Gur, " the going up to Gur," near Ibleam, and he fled to Megiddo, where he died. It is difficult to conceive how this narrative can be reconciled with a Megiddo in the Plain of Bethshean ; for it must be remembered that Jehu, the pursuer of Ahaziah, made his furious advance upon Jezreel, through that plain ; and it seems highly improbable that the flying monarch would have rushed towards his opponent, instead of from him. This difficulty alone seems insurmountable. But there is also Engannim or Bethgan, and the other points in the story, to be sought for somewhere in the Valley of Jezreel ; but nothing except Mujedda, suitable for the purpose, has yet been discovered in that direction.

The Samaritan Gorge of the Jordan.

The broad Plain of Beisan is succeeded by a gorge or narrow valley, extending about 11 miles between Wady Maleh, and Wady Abu Sidreh, the latter being the lower course of Wady el Bukei'a. This is the narrowest part of the Lower Jordan, and according to Lieutenant Warren it contracts to not more than half a mile in width. " For six miles the plain is nearly lost." Guerin repeatedly calls it " tres e'troite." According to Conder it is two to three miles wide.

The summits of the hills which enclose the Ghor on the west, rise above the Jordan, to heights between 1,100 to 1,840 feet, their heights above the sea being about 1,000 feet less.

This range is the eastern boundary of the Wady Maleh


 * " Sinai and Pal.," 349, note.