Location
Overview
Adullam was a town of the Judean lowlands with a great cave nearby that became David's first stronghold during his years as a fugitive.
The cave of refuge
"David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam" (1 Samuel 22:1). There his family came down to him, and "every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men" (1 Samuel 22:2).
The water of Bethlehem
Later, holding the stronghold of Adullam while the Philistines garrisoned Bethlehem, David longed for water from Bethlehem's well. Three of his mighty men broke through the enemy lines to bring it — and David poured it out to the LORD, unwilling to drink "the blood of these men" (2 Samuel 23:13–17).
An ancient town
Adullam was old even in Jacob's day (Genesis 38:1) and was later fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:7).
Events Here
David gathers four hundred men at the cave of Adullam
Scripture References
8 versesJoshua2 verses
Joshua 12:15
The king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;
Joshua 15:35
Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,
1 Samuel1 verse
1 Samuel 22:1
David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.
2 Samuel1 verse
2 Samuel 23:13
And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. three: or, the three captains over the thirty
1 Chronicles1 verse
1 Chronicles 11:15
Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim. three: or, three captains over the thirty
2 Chronicles1 verse
2 Chronicles 11:7
And Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
Nehemiah1 verse
Nehemiah 11:30
Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom.
Micah1 verse
Micah 1:15
Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel. inhabitant: Heb. inhabitress he: or, the glory of Israel shall, etc
Archaeology & History
Adullam is located in the Shephelah, the rolling lowlands between the Judean hills and the coastal plain, an area honeycombed with caves — natural strongholds for a fugitive band. The town is usually placed at Khirbet esh-Sheikh Madhkur.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Adullam
Where is Adullam today?
Today, Adullam corresponds to Khirbet esh-Sheikh Madhkur, Israel (probable).
What happened at Adullam in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Adullam include david gathers four hundred men at the cave of adullam.
Where is Adullam first mentioned in the Bible?
Adullam is first mentioned in Joshua 12:15.
How often is Adullam mentioned in the Bible?
Adullam is mentioned in 8 verses across 7 books: Joshua, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Nehemiah, Micah.
What was the cave of Adullam?
David’s first stronghold as a fugitive from Saul, where his family and some four hundred distressed and indebted men gathered to him and he became their captain.
What is the story of the water of Bethlehem?
While David held Adullam, he longed for water from Bethlehem’s well; three of his mighty men broke through the Philistine lines to fetch it, and David poured it out before the LORD rather than drink it.