Mt. Gilboa
According to the Old
Testament Mt. Gilboa (which is really a ridge and not single
mountain) is a place of tragedy and triumph. Israelis flock here
every year from February to April to see the multitude of wildflowers
and the famed purplish Gilboa Iris (Iris Haynei).
It was here that Saul, the first King of Israel
and his sons died fighting the Philistines, “And it came to pass on
the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they
found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa” (Samuel
I 38:8).
Most of what is today a scenic road is what used
to be known as Patrol Way, prior to 1948. While most of the road is
now paved, you may actually want to veer off and take some of the
unpaved paths and walk a bit – to get the best views of the valley.
If you would like to have a picnic, (the mountain almost beckons it),
it might be worth your while going a few minutes out of your way to
pick up a picnic basket first. There are many picnic areas along the
scenic route.
From the Gilboa you’ll be able to see they
valley below. This area of the Jezreel valley is known as the Harod
Valley and it is full of fishponds that attract a great number and
variety of birds including cormorants, pelicans, storks, seagulls,
and ducks. You’ll also be able to see the hill of Moreh where the
Philistines assembled to fight Saul, Mt. Tabor (site of the
Transfiguration of Jesus), and the mountains of the Jordan Valley. On
a clear day you might even see Mt. Hermon to the north.
David, who replaced Saul, lamented his fallen
king. In Samuel II 1:21 “Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be
rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the
mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not
been anointed with oil.” Over the years – some have taken this
curse this literally, as the reason for the seeming baldness of Mt.
Gilboa. But in recent years the Jewish National Fund has planted
thousands of trees that have greatly changed the situation, although
bald spots are still clearly visible (see photo in related article,
Ein Harod).
Depending on what else you plan on seeing in the
area, decide whether you want drive from west to east (entering near
tel Yizre’el, which offers a spectacular observation point of the
valley). Or if you want to drive from east to west, beginning in the
Nir David area (see related story Stockade and Tower). Nir David is
also close to the ancient Beit Alpha synagogue at Kibbutz Heftziba.
The scenic route is #667 and the road that leads to/from Beit Alpha
is #6666.
Late winter and early spring are the best time to
savor the full splendor of the Gilboa and they valley below.
Sources: Copyright � 2000 Gems
in Israel All rights reserved. Reprinted
with Permission. |