Wilson, Charles W. [Editor]; Fenn, Harry [Ill.]: Picturesque Palestine: Sinai and Egypt ; in 2 volumes (Band 1) (New York, 1881)

HILL-COUNTRY OF LITTLE BENJAMIN.

183

the Benjamite Saul. Here was the ceaseless frontier warfare of Israel and Judah, and here
was planted the great station and centre of the apostacy of the northern kingdom, the golden
calf of Bethel. The passes of Benjamin naturally gave that little tribe a disproportionate

influence in the land. It pos-
sessed strong fortresses for de-
fence, conspicuous high places
for national worship, and ravines
by which it could command
the Jordan Valley and the east
on the one side, and the rich
plains of Philistia on the other.
Thus it earned its name of
" little Benjamin, their ruler."
Within its little territory are
crowded the names of Bethel,

Ai, Geba, Ramah, Mizpeh, Gibeon, Nob, Michmash, and many others, the scenes of
historic events.

Of these passes that of Michmash, here represented, is a typical example, and it is the
theatre of one of the most romantic episodes in the history of Israel. Michmash, the modern

JEBA, THE ANCIENT GEBA OF BENJAMIN.
The shrine ofJeba is called Neby Yakub (Prophet Jacob).