Page:Light and truth.djvu/89

Rh xl. 6.) We find it rebuilt after the return from Babylon—(Neh. iii. 19.) 2. (Gen. xxxi. 49.) A city in the territory of Gad, where Laban and Jacob entered into a covenant of friendship, and where Jephthah resided and mustered his army.—(Judg. xi. 11, 29 )

. (Josh. xv. 44.) A town of Judah, famous as the scene of the battle between Asa, king of Judah, and Zerah, king of Ethiopia, with his numerous army. It was also the residence of the prophet Micah.—(Mic. i. 15.)

. (Josh. xiii. 16.) A city in the eastern part of the territory of Reuben, which still retains nearly its ancient name, Madaba. The site of the old town shows the ruins of a temple, and the excavations of ponds and reservoirs.

, (1 Sam. xxii. 19,) was a city of the priests in the territory of Benjamin, and within sight of Jerusalem on the north. To this place David fled from the fury of Saul, and obtained from Abimelech, the high priest, some of the shew-bread, to satisfy his hunger; and also Goliah's sword for his defence. For this act Saul caused the city and all that was in it to be destroyed.

. (Josh, xviii. 24.) A city of Benjamin, latterly called Gophna, between Shechem and Jerusalem. It is mentioned by profane historians among the places through which Vespasian and Titus passed, in their march of conquest.

, (Matt. ii. 18,) or Ramah, (1 Sam. i. 19,) was a small town, situated on an eminence in the territory of Benjamin, (Josh, xviii. 25,) and about six miles north of Jerusalem, on the way to Bethel. The name Rama, or Ramoth, signifies an eminence, and hence is a constituent part of the names of several places, and is sometimes used generally for any high place. It was here that the Jews were assembled after the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuzaradan, (Jer. xl. 1,) to take their departure from their beloved country, and to go as captives into a land of strangers, if not of tyrants. It was this place that Baasha, king of Israel, once possessed and fortified; but the king of Judah, by stratagem, wrested it from him.—(1 Kings xv. 17.) Near to Ramah, Rachel was buried; and she is represented by the prophet (Jer. xxxi. 15,) as