15 Beth-aven?
reference to Beth Aven is in the account of Israel’s battles with the Philistines recorded in 1 Samuel 13 and 14. In response to Jonathan’s attack on the Philistine outpost at Geba, the Philistines assembled their forces and “went up and camped at Micmash, east of Beth Aven” (1 Sm 13:5b). The Philistines were coming from their territory along the Mediterranean coast, so they evidently first passed by Beth Aven and then continued eastward to Micmash, modern Mukhmas. Beth Aven was therefore located west of Micmash and was occupied at the time of Saul in the mid-11th century BC. Because of Jonathan’s bravery in attacking the Philistine outpost at Micmash, the Israelites were victorious that day. As the Philistines retraced the route back to their homeland, “the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven” (1 Sm 14:23b).