David at the cave of Adullam

Adullam is significant in several biblical accounts. Here are a few.

Judah stayed with an Adullamite man named Hirah. He married the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua.

At that time Judah left his brothers and stayed with an Adullamite man named Hirah. There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. Judah acquired her as a wife and had marital relations with her. (Genesis 38:1-2 NET)

The episode of Onan and his failure to fulfill his responsibility to bring up children to his deceased brother (the Levirate marriage; Genesis 38:3-10).

One of the entrances to the cave of Adullam (in the foreground) with a view of the area to the east toward the central mountain range. Without detailed maps it is difficult to show this location, but the border road would lead generally to the Jaba border crossing on Highway 367. This road, after many twists and turns, leads to Highway 60 south of Bethlehem near the modern Israeli settlement of Efrat (or Efrata). Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Joshua defeated the king of Adullam during the Conquest (Joshua 12:15), and became one of the Shephelah (lowland) cities of the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:35).

The cave of Adullam may be best know because of its association with David. When he left Gath he went to Adullam before sending his parents to Moab for safety.

So David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s family learned about it, they went down there to him. (1 Samuel 22:1 NET)

In fact, David spent much time at Adullam. I suggest you read the entire account in 2 Samuel 23:13ff.

Interior of the cave of Adullam. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

When the prophet Micah warned Judah about the coming Assyrian invasion he said,

…the leaders of Israel shall flee to Adullam (Micah 1:15 NET)

Just like David did about three centuries earlier.

Interior of the cave of Adullam lighted by flash. During more recent time the cave was used for a olive press installation. One of the crushing stones is visible in the center foreground. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

One more point. Jesus was a descendant of David and Judah, both of whom had an association with Adullam (Revelation 5:5).

Note: if you wish to locate the Adullam cave on Google Earth, search for Aderet, Israel, and then look for the cave. A photo of the cave is identified at 31°39’02.33 N, 35°00’08.53 E.

An earlier post, with two different photos, may be read here.

I hope that our material will make this part of the life of David a bit more real for you as you study the Bible.