In this lesson, we want to consider two significant valleys mentioned in the Old Testament. I was able to visit both of these places on my 2015 trip to Israel.
The Sorek Valley
- Sorek means “the valley of the choice vine.”
- It served as a border between the tribe of Dan and the Philistines (not far from Zorah and Eshtaol).
- Samson was under the Nazirite vow from birth (Judges 13:3-7).
- Living near Sorek allowed God to use Samson to be in constant conflict with the Philistines. All of their major cities were near this valley.
- Samson loved a woman from Sorek named Delilah (Judges 16:4).
- It was here that Delilah enticed Samson to tell her the source of his strength. Samson eventually gave in to her, and God allowed him to be captured by the Philistines.
- After his capture, Samson was put in prison in Gaza.
- Eventually, God gave Samson his strength back. He then killed 3,000 Philistines in their temple. Samson’s family then buried his body in the tomb of his father (Judges 16:31).
The Valley of Elah
- This is a triangle-shaped valley, located on the western edge of the Judah low hills.
- 1 Samuel 17:1 says Elah was near Azekah and Socoh.
- The valley gets its name from the Elah tree, a type of oak or terebinth tree.
- It is best known as where the Israelites were encamped when David went out to fight the Philistine giant Goliath.
- For forty days, the Philistine giant Goliath taunted and mocked Israel’s army (1 Samuel 17:16). When David heard no Israelite soldier dared to fight Goliath, he volunteered. David put his trust in God and, with a slingshot, sank a stone in the giant’s head. David then took Goliath’s sword and cut off his head.
- It was in the brook of Elah, where David found the five smooth stones he used to fight Goliath (1 Samuel 17:40).
- Adullam is located to the south-east of Elah. David hid in a cave here while being pursued by Saul (1 Samuel 22:1).
