Location
Overview
Michmash sat above a steep ravine north-east of Jerusalem, on the frontier between Israel and the Philistines in Saul's day. It is the scene of one of Scripture's boldest acts of faith.
The Philistines encamped
The Philistines gathered at Michmash "thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand," while a fearful Israel hid in caves (1 Samuel 13:5–6).
Jonathan's daring
Jonathan and his armour-bearer climbed up alone against the garrison, saying, "there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few" (1 Samuel 14:6). They killed about twenty men, and God sent a trembling through the whole Philistine camp.
A great deliverance
"So the LORD saved Israel that day" (1 Samuel 14:23), as the panicked Philistines turned their swords on one another and the hidden Israelites joined the rout.
Events Here
Jonathan and his armour-bearer rout the Philistine garrison at Michmash
Scripture References
11 verses1 Samuel7 verses
1 Samuel 13:2
Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
1 Samuel 13:5
And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.
1 Samuel 13:11
And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
1 Samuel 13:16
And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. present: Heb. found Gibeah: Heb. Geba
1 Samuel 13:23
And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash. garrison: or, standing camp
1 Samuel 14:5
The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. forefront: Heb. tooth
1 Samuel 14:31
And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
Ezra1 verse
Ezra 2:27
The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two.
Nehemiah2 verses
Nehemiah 7:31
The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and two.
Nehemiah 11:31
The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages, from: or, of at: or, to
Isaiah1 verse
Isaiah 10:28
He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages:
Archaeology & History
Michmash is preserved at the village of Mukhmas, opposite the gorge of the Wadi Suweinit; the two crags Bozez and Seneh named in 1 Samuel 14:4 can still be traced in the steep pass Jonathan climbed. Its strategic ridge guarded the eastern approach to the central highlands.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Michmash
Where is Michmash today?
Today, Michmash corresponds to Mukhmas, West Bank.
What happened at Michmash in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Michmash include jonathan and his armour-bearer rout the philistine garrison at michmash.
Where is Michmash first mentioned in the Bible?
Michmash is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 13:2.
How often is Michmash mentioned in the Bible?
Michmash is mentioned in 11 verses across 4 books: 1 Samuel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Isaiah.
What happened at Michmash?
Jonathan and his armour-bearer alone attacked the Philistine garrison there, trusting God to save "by many or by few"; their daring sparked a panic that turned into a great Israelite victory.
Where is Michmash?
North-east of Jerusalem at the village of Mukhmas, above the gorge of the Wadi Suweinit in Benjamin.